The 2026 World Cup group stage has 72 games. The tournament has 48 teams split into 12 groups of 4, with each team playing 3 group matches, which adds up to 72 total group-stage matches.

Quick math

  • 12 groups
  • 6 matches per group
  • 12 × 6 = 72 games

The full tournament has 104 matches overall, so the other 32 are in the knockout rounds.