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HOW MANY GROUPS WILL THERE BE IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP?

Get ready, because the 2026 World Cup will not only be the biggest in history in terms of the number of participating countries, but also in how it's organized. Yes, there will be more groups, more matches, and more excitement. For the first time, 48 teams will compete for glory, and that changes everything: the number of groups, the qualifiers, the formats, and even the strategies. Here we explain in detail how many groups there will be, how they are structured, and why this format promises to be a true football marathon.

New format for the 2026 World Cup


The 2026 World Cup will be the first with **48 teams**, breaking the classic 32-team format used since France 1998. FIFA approved this change seeking to further globalize the tournament and give space to new nations. With this new number, the group stage also changes, and significantly.


How many groups will there be then?


  • There will be **12 groups of 4 teams** each, totaling the 48 selected teams.

  • Each team will play 3 matches in this stage, as usual.

  • The top two teams from each group and the **8 best third-placed teams** will qualify for the round of 32 (yes, there's a new round).

  • In total, **104 matches** will be played in the entire tournament.

  • The format guarantees that each team will play at least 3 matches, without Changes in the initial phase.


Fun fact: when FIFA considered expanding the format, they considered 16 groups of 3 teams, but that system had a major problem: the last match of each group was at risk of being fixed. So it was discarded for sporting and ethical reasons.


Now, with this new format of 12 groups, the initial phase remains intense, but with more new teams looking to cause an upset and become the new Iceland or Morocco of 2026.


Impact on the tournament and the fans


The change to 48 teams and 12 groups has significant consequences for everyone: players, teams, organizers, and, of course, the fans. It's a longer, more complex World Cup with more potential for surprises.


How does it affect the World Cup experience?


  • More matches: the total number of matches increases from 64 to **104**. A non-stop football party! More days: The tournament will last 39 days, up from 32. More debuting teams: At least 8 countries are expected to participate for the first time. More tickets for fans: More matches = more tickets available. Greater cultural diversity: There will be matches between teams that have never faced each other before. Interesting fact: According to FIFA, more than 5.5 million tickets will be put on sale, far surpassing the attendance record of USA '94 (3.5 million). And for fans planning to follow their team With multiple venues, the format requires better travel planning. Venues are organized into regional clusters to minimize long journeys during the group stage. In addition, the new format increases the excitement: with more third-placed teams, there will be last-minute surprises and crazy combinations to qualify. Ideal for those who love a good calculator!

The world of football is buzzing with anticipation. The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, and national teams are battling for their place in the biggest tournament, where every match defines the dreams and hopes of millions of fans.With three host countries—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—this edition promises to be historic: more teams, more goals, and a unique global experience. Coaches are fine-tuning their strategies, and players are vying for their ticket to the most anticipated tournament.The countdown has begun. The ball is about to start rolling, and the whole world awaits the moment a new chapter begins.The World Cup is almost here… and the passion is palpable.

The world of football is buzzing with anticipation. The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, and national teams are battling for their place in the biggest tournament, where every match defines the dreams and hopes of millions of fans.With three host countries—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—this edition promises to be historic: more teams, more goals, and a unique global experience. Coaches are fine-tuning their strategies, and players are vying for their ticket to the most anticipated tournament.The countdown has begun. The ball is about to start rolling, and the whole world awaits the moment a new chapter begins.The World Cup is almost here… and the passion is palpable.

What do players, coaches, and experts think?


The debate surrounding the new format has generated many opinions in the world of football. Some are delighted with the expansion of the tournament, while others believe it could lose intensity in the group stage. Let's see what the protagonists have to say.


Voices of football on the new format


  • Luka Modrić: “More teams mean more dreams fulfilled, that's football.”

  • Jürgen Klopp: has expressed concerns about the overloaded schedule.

  • Infantino (FIFA): “It will be the most inclusive, diverse, and spectacular World Cup of all time.”

  • Journalists like Martín Lieberman and Luis Omar Tapia see it as an opportunity for new stars to emerge.

  • Fans on social media: opinions divided between total excitement and fear of fatigue Football fan.


Fun fact: In a global YouGov poll, 64% of young fans between 18 and 30 years old said they were in favor of the new format because of "the possibility of seeing more unusual teams, unexpected matches, and new stars."


And something important: The format was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, showing strong consensus at the organizational level. The key will be how the competition adapts to maintain intensity and excitement.


The truth is that the question "how many groups will there be in the 2026 World Cup?" already has a clear answer: there will be 12. But what comes with them is a new era of World Cups. Bigger, more diverse, and probably... more unforgettable.

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