FIFA World Cup 2026 format explained: How the 48-team tournament will work

The FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be the biggest edition of the tournament in history, is just hours away from kicking off. The opening match will see Mexico host South Africa, and this edition is already special because it is the first time the tournament will be hosted by three countries together.

The other co-hosts are Canada and the United States. Mexico, meanwhile, has become the first country ever to host the World Cup three times. The 2026 World Cup will also be the largest in history. Instead of 32 teams like before, 48 teams are taking part this time. Because of this expansion, the total number of matches has increased to 104 games, which is 40 more than the previous tournament in Qatar.

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Canada will host games in two cities, Mexico in three cities, while the United States will host the majority of matches across 11 cities. All the matches from the quarter-final stage onward will be played in the United States.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Group stage format

The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four teams each. Every team plays three matches in the group stage in a round-robin format.

After all group matches are completed, the top two teams from each group qualify directly for the knockout stage. The eight best third-placed teams will also move into the knockouts.

What happens if teams finish on same points in group stage?

There is also a change in how teams are ranked if they finish level on points. The first tiebreaker is now the head-to-head result between the tied teams. After that, it will be decided via head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored, overall goal difference, and total goals scored.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Knockout stage expanded

Because more teams will qualify this year, the knockout phase of the World Cup 2026 will start earlier than before, with a Round of 32. From there, it will move to the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.

If matches are tied in the knockout rounds, they go into extra time, and if needed, penalty shootouts will decide who moves forward.

FIFA World Cup 2026 groups

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia

Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey

Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

When does the World Cup start?

The opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Mexico and South Africa will begin at 12:30 AM IST (June 12), and it will take place at the Mexico City Stadium.

Fans in India can watch the live streaming of the match on the Zee5 app and website, while the live broadcast will be available on Unite8 Sports Network. Select matches will also be available for free on DD Sports.