48 teams, 12 groups, one champion 🌍
Tournament Format
12 Groups of 4 Teams
Total Teams
48 National Teams
Advancement
Top 2 + Best 3rd Place
12 groups of 4 teams play round-robin format. Each team plays 3 matches.
Top 2 teams from each group advance, plus 8 best third-place teams.
32 qualified teams compete in single-elimination knockout matches.
Winners advance to Round of 16.
Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.
Single elimination format until the champion is crowned.
The official World Cup 2026 draw has not yet taken place. Group allocations will be announced closer to the tournament. All 48 qualified teams will be drawn into 12 groups of 4.
Stay tuned for updates on qualification and the official draw ceremony!
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