The 2026 FIFA World Cup had 48 teams competing, an increase from 32 teams in previous editions. Ahead of the final draw in December 2025 to decide the composition of the groups, 42 countries qualified for the tournament. The final 6 teams were decided through playoffs in March 2026. Because of the larger field, this World Cup lasted 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style