8 June 2026
What changed at the World Cup since 2022?
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest shake-up to the tournament in decades. Here is what changed since Qatar 2022.
| 2022 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | 32 | 48 |
| Groups | 8 | 12 |
| Matches | 64 | 104 |
| Host nations | 1 | 3 |
| First knockout | Round of 16 | Round of 32 |
The headline change is the jump to 48 teams, which adds a brand-new Round of 32 and 40 extra matches. It is also the first World Cup co-hosted by three countries.
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