Due to the increased format with 48 nations participating, the 2026 World Cup will include 104 matches rather than the customary 64 games, the world’s football governing organisation FIFA announced on Tuesday following its Council meeting in the Rwandan capital Kigali.
The quadrennial competition will feature 48 teams for the first time in its 2026 edition, which the US, Canada, and Mexico will jointly host. On July 19, the final will take place.
The new format will also continue to draw groups of four teams after a suggestion for three teams was rejected due to concerns about collusion. However, there will be 16 groups instead of the current 12 groups.
