Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
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HOW WILL THE FORMAT COMPARE TO QATAR 2022?
The 2026 World Cup will mark a turning point in football history. For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 teams, abandoning the traditional 32-team format seen in Qatar 2022. This change not only expands the number of participants but also revolutionizes the group stage structure, the knockout rounds, and even team strategies. In this article, we'll explain the new format, how it differs from Qatar 2022, and what experts and fans think about the biggest tournament ever organized.
The New 48-Team Format
The 2026 World Cup will be a true global celebration: 48 teams will participate instead of the 32 from Qatar 2022. This increase represents a monumental leap in the number of matches, going from 64 to 104 in total. FIFA approved this format with the aim of including more nations, especially from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where football is growing by leaps and bounds.
Unlike the previous format, in which teams were divided into eight groups of four, there will now be twelve groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to a new round of 32.
This means that for the first time there will be a stage with 32 teams qualified after the group stage, something never seen in previous World Cups.Advantages of the new format
More representation: teams from regions that previously had few places will now have more opportunities.
More matches: fans will enjoy almost two additional weeks of competition.
More excitement: the single-elimination format from the round of 32 onwards promises more surprises.
Greater global exposure: new teams will debut before record audiences.
This new system seeks a balance between competitiveness and spectacle. FIFA hopes the initial stages will maintain the excitement and that more countries will feel the adrenaline rush of advancing in a tournament that will undoubtedly break records for viewership, attendance, and media coverage.
Comparison with the Qatar 2022 Format
The 2022 Qatar World Cup was historic for many reasons: it was the first held in winter, the most geographically compact, and the last with 32 teams. In that tournament, the group stage consisted of eight groups of four teams, with the top two teams advancing directly to the round of 16. A total of 64 matches were played over 29 days, averaging 2.69 goals per game.
With the new 2026 format, the numbers skyrocket. There will be 104 matches in total, spread across three host countries (United States, Mexico, and Canada) and more than 16 host cities. The tournament will last approximately 39 days, with longer rest periods between matches and complex but well-planned logistics.
The number of goals, according to projections, could exceed 300 in total, something unprecedented.Key differences between Qatar 2022 and 2026
Number of teams: from 32 to 48.
Number of matches: from 64 to 104.
Duration: from 29 to 39 days.
Number of venues: from 8 (in Qatar) to more than 16 (in North America).
Knockout stages: new round of 32 In Qatar 2022, the proximity between venues was an advantage: fans could watch several matches in a single day. In contrast, the 2026 World Cup will offer a broader and more diverse experience, with travel between countries, different time zones, and logistics that will test the teams and the organizers. However, it will also be an opportunity for millions of fans in the Americas to experience the World Cup without having to cross oceans. From a sporting perspective, analysts expect the group stage to have more variety, but also a greater gap in quality between teams. However, this could lead to memorable surprises, like those of Morocco or Japan in Qatar 2022. And we already know that World Cups without surprises aren't as enjoyable.
Curiosities and Reactions to the New Format
Since FIFA announced the expanded format, opinions have been divided. Some coaches and players celebrate it as an opportunity for more countries to experience the World Cup, while others fear that some of the competitive intensity will be lost. FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the decision, arguing that “more nations mean more dreams fulfilled and more inspiring stories.”
What is indisputable is that the 2026 World Cup will be the most inclusive and diverse in history. For the first time, it will be played in three countries, spanning from Vancouver to Mexico City, passing through New York, Dallas, and Miami. State-of-the-art stadiums, such as SoFi Stadium and AT&T Stadium, are preparing to host record crowds. Furthermore, the tournament is expected to generate more than $11 billion in revenue, according to FIFA's own estimates.
Interesting facts you should know
The 2026 World Cup will have more matches than any other FIFA tournament in history.
The final could be played in Dallas, New York, or Los Angeles, depending on the candidate venues.
There will be more than 2 billion cumulative viewers on television and streaming.
The distances between venues will exceed 4,000 km, which will require meticulous logistics.
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