The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have 104 matches in total, according to FIFA’s current match schedule and tournament guide. That total comes from the expanded 48-team format.

Match count

  • Group stage: 72 matches.
  • Knockout stage: 32 matches.
  • Total: 104 matches.

Quick note

Older previews sometimes mentioned 80 matches , but FIFA’s latest schedule shows the tournament at 104 matches.