There will be 48 teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanded from the previous 32-team format.

Quick Scoop

  • The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 national teams competing in the final tournament.
  • These teams will be split into 12 groups of 4 , with an expanded knockout phase afterward.
  • This is the first World Cup to use the 48-team format, making it the largest edition in history.

Format Snapshot

  • 12 groups x 4 teams = 48 teams in the group stage.
  • Top two in each group plus the best third-placed teams advance to a 32-team knockout round.
  • The total number of matches rises to 104 games , up from 64 in Qatar 2022.

TL;DR: If you are wondering how many teams in the World Cup 2026 , the answer is 48 teams , playing in 12 groups of 4 in the biggest World Cup ever.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.