How the New 2026 World Cup Format Works
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will mark a turning point in the tournament’s history. It will be the largest edition ever held, featuring 48 national teams and venues spread across three host countries. Due to the increase in teams, the competition format will also change significantly, especially in the group stage and knockout rounds.
The tournament will consist of 12 groups of four teams each. During the group stage, each team will play three matches. At the end of this phase, the top two teams from each group will qualify directly, totaling 24 teams.
These 24 teams will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams, completing the 32 teams that will advance to the first knockout round.
To determine standings within each group, the primary criterion will be points earned. In case of a tie, the following tiebreakers will be used:
Head-to-head result between the tied teams.
Goal difference.
Goals scored.
Disciplinary criteria or Fair Play.
FIFA Ranking.
The Fair Play criterion can be decisive. Sanctions are counted as follows:
Yellow card: -1 point.
Red card (second yellow): -3 points.
Direct red card: -5 points.
Yellow card followed by direct red: -5 points.
If the tie still persists after all these criteria, the FIFA Ranking will be the final factor to determine who advances.
This system becomes especially important when determining the best third-placed teams. The possible combinations for building the knockout bracket are numerous, meaning every goal, every point, and even every card carries weight. A historical example occurred at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when Japan advanced to the Round of 16 thanks to Fair Play. Both Japan and Senegal finished tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored, but the Asian side received fewer yellow cards and secured qualification.
How the Knockout Stage Works
Once the group stage concludes, the Round of 32 —equivalent to the round of 16 in previous formats— will begin, featuring the 32 qualified teams.
The matchups will be designed to balance the bracket and reward group winners. In general, the system works as follows:
Eight group winners will face the eight best third-placed teams.
The remaining four group winners will play against some runners-up.
There will also be direct matchups between runners-up from different groups.
This means finishing as a group leader can offer a theoretically more favorable path, while qualifying as a runner-up or one of the best third-placed teams could lead to tougher matchups from the start.
Road to the Final
After the Round of 32, the qualified teams will advance to:
Round of 16
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
The grand final will be played on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, while the third-place match will take place a day earlier in Miami.
Special Rules and Extra Time
All matches will include three-minute hydration breaks in each half due to the high temperatures expected in several venues.
In case of a draw during the knockout rounds, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played. If the tie persists, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout.
Everything is set for a historic World Cup. With more teams, more matches, and a completely revamped format, the 2026 tournament promises excitement from the group stage to the knockout rounds, where the matchups could deliver some of the most spectacular games of the competition.
