What to expect from the 48-team World Cup format in 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 48 teams, making it the largest tournament in its 96-year history. The new format divides teams into 12 groups of four, with the top two and eight best third-placed teams advancing to a knockout stage. This expansion allows for greater representation of smaller nations, including World Cup debutants such as Curacao and Cape Verde. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for one-sided matches in the group stage.

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