2026 FIFA World Cup: Why did the tournament expand from 32 to 48 teams?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make a historic return to North America, taking place from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

This edition will usher in a groundbreaking new tournament format, expanding from 32 to 48 participating teams.

The revamped format is designed to foster greater global inclusion, enabling 16 more nations to participate compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

For the first time, the group stage will comprise 12 groups of four teams each. This expansion will see the total number of matches soar to 104, a significant increase of 40 games from the previous edition.

With the addition of 16 teams, the path to the knockout stage has also evolved. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to the newly expanded round of 32. This format gives more nations a realistic shot at advancing deep into the tournament.

Under the expanded format, the path to World Cup glory will be tougher and more thrilling than ever before. The eventual champion, crowned on July 19 at the final in New Jersey, will have played a total of eight matches, one more than was required in Qatar 2022.

BTS, Madonna, Shakira to headline first World Cup halftime show

Starting in 2026, the FIFA World Cup expanded its field from 32 to 48 teams, marking the most significant growth in the tournament’s history.

This expansion was designed to promote global inclusion, giving more countries from every continent the opportunity to compete on football’s grandest stage.

It is also a chance to generate more revenue, with more games meaning more ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities. Broadcasters will also be showing more games, allowing them to sell more ads.

The tournament begins with Group A games in Mexico City on June 11, starting with the host nation, Mexico, facing South Africa. The action then moves to Estadio Guadalajara for the match between South Korea and Czechia.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why did 2026 World Cup expand from 32 to 48 teams?