The FIFA World Cup 2026 marks a revolutionary moment in football history. For the first time ever, how many countries are going to be in the World Cup 2026 has a groundbreaking answer: 48 nations will compete, representing a massive expansion from the traditional 32-team format.
This historic tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature more teams, more matches, and more excitement than any World Cup before it. The expansion to 48 countries ensures greater global representation and provides emerging football nations unprecedented opportunities to showcase their talent on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
The Historic Expansion: From 32 to 48 Teams
Understanding the New Format
The question of how many countries are going to be in the World Cup 2026 reflects FIFA’s ambitious vision for global football. The tournament will include 48 teams, marking an increase of 16 nations compared to previous editions. This expansion represents the first format change since 1998 when the World Cup expanded from 24 to 32 teams.
The FIFA Council approved this groundbreaking decision in January 2017, and the format was finalized in March 2023. The expansion aims to:
- Increase global participation and representation
- Provide more opportunities for developing football nations
- Generate additional revenue for football development worldwide
- Create more excitement and competitive matches
Group Stage Structure
With 48 countries participating, the World Cup 2026 will feature:
- 12 groups of 4 teams each (format approved in March 2023)
- 104 total matches (up from 64 in previous tournaments)
- 39 days of competition (extended from 32 days)
- 16 host cities across three nations
The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams will advance to a newly created Round of 32, ensuring maximum competitive intensity throughout the tournament.
How Many Countries Are Going to Be in the World Cup 2026?Continental Qualification Breakdown: How Countries Qualified
Europe (UEFA) – 16 Teams
UEFA receives the largest allocation with 16 direct qualification spots. Twelve European teams have already qualified through group stage winners, while four additional spots will be decided through playoffs in March 2026.
Qualified UEFA Teams: England, France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, and Switzerland
UEFA Playoff Contenders: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ireland, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, and Northern Ireland
Africa (CAF) – 9 Teams
Africa has nine guaranteed spots, representing a significant increase from the previous five slots. This expansion provides more African nations the opportunity to compete on the global stage.
Qualified African Teams: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa
Asia (AFC) – 8 Teams
The Asian Football Confederation secured eight automatic qualification spots, doubling their previous allocation.
Qualified Asian Teams: Japan, Australia, Iran, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Uzbekistan
Notable first-time qualifiers include Jordan and Uzbekistan, highlighting the expansion’s impact on emerging football nations.
South America (CONMEBOL) – 6 Teams
South America’s allocation increased from 4.5 to six direct spots, allowing more traditional powerhouses and emerging teams to qualify.
Qualified CONMEBOL Teams: Argentina (defending champions), Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay
North America (CONCACAF) – 6 Teams
CONCACAF receives six total spots, with three automatically allocated to host nations and three determined through qualification.
Qualified CONCACAF Teams:
- Automatic Hosts: United States, Mexico, Canada
- Qualified through competition: Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama
Oceania (OFC) – 1 Team
For the first time in World Cup history, Oceania has one guaranteed spot, marking a historic milestone for the confederation.
Qualified OFC Team: New Zealand
This represents only New Zealand’s third World Cup appearance and the first time OFC doesn’t need to win an intercontinental playoff for guaranteed participation.
How Many Countries Are Going to Be in the World Cup 2026? The Intercontinental Playoff Tournament
Six nations will compete in March 2026 for the final two World Cup spots:
Playoff Participants:
- Africa: DR Congo
- Asia: Iraq
- CONCACAF: Jamaica, Suriname
- Oceania: New Caledonia
- South America: Bolivia
The playoff format features:
- Semifinals on March 26, 2026
- Finals on March 31, 2026
- Matches held in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico
- DR Congo and Iraq seeded based on FIFA rankings
Tournament Format and Structure
Group Stage Details
When examining how many countries are going to be in the World Cup 2026, understanding the tournament structure is crucial:
12 Groups Configuration:
- Groups A through L
- Four teams per group
- Round-robin format (three matches per team)
- 72 group stage matches total
Advancement Criteria:
- Top 2 teams from each group (24 teams)
- Eight best third-placed teams
- Total of 32 teams advancing to knockout stage
Knockout Stage
The Round of 32 represents a new addition to World Cup history:
- Single-elimination format
- Extra time and penalty shootouts if necessary
- Progression through Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals
- Final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
Host Cities and Venues
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 cities in three countries:
United States (11 cities):
Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco Bay Area, New York/New Jersey
Mexico (3 cities):
Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
Canada (2 cities):
Toronto, Vancouver
This represents the first World Cup hosted by three nations simultaneously and Mexico’s third time hosting (1970, 1986, 2026).
Tournament Timeline
Key Dates:
- Official Start: June 11, 2026
- Group Stage: June 11-27, 2026
- Round of 32: June 28-July 3, 2026
- Round of 16: July 4-7, 2026
- Quarterfinals: July 9-11, 2026
- Semifinals: July 14-15, 2026
- Final: July 19, 2026
The tournament spans 39 days, providing adequate rest periods for competing nations while maintaining viewer engagement worldwide.
How Many Countries Are Going to Be in the World Cup 2026? Historic Significance and First-Time Qualifiers
First-Time Participants
The expansion has enabled several nations to qualify for their first-ever World Cup:
- Jordan – First Asian Cup quarterfinalists making World Cup debut
- Uzbekistan – First qualification since independence
- Cabo Verde – Historic African qualifier
- Curaçao – Smallest nation ever to qualify (pending playoff results)
Historic Milestones
Understanding how many countries are going to be in the World Cup 2026 reveals several groundbreaking achievements:
- First 48-team World Cup in tournament history
- First time all six confederations have guaranteed spots
- Oceania’s first guaranteed berth without playoff requirement
- Canada’s second consecutive World Cup appearance
- Mexico’s third time hosting the tournament
Economic and Cultural Impact
Financial Projections
The expanded format is projected to generate:
- $11 billion in total revenue for FIFA
- $640 million in additional profit
- Increased investment in global football development
- Enhanced infrastructure in host cities
Global Representation
With 48 countries participating, the World Cup 2026 ensures:
- Greater geographic diversity
- Increased viewer engagement across continents
- More opportunities for emerging football markets
- Enhanced cultural exchange and international cooperation
Teams to Watch
Defending Champions
Argentina – Led by Lionel Messi’s legacy, seeking consecutive titles
Traditional Powerhouses
Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, England – Historic football nations with multiple championships
Emerging Contenders
Morocco (2022 semifinalists), Japan (first non-host to qualify), South Korea, Colombia
Dark Horses
Uruguay, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium – Experienced squads with championship potential
Qualification Process Summary
The path to answering how many countries are going to be in the World Cup 2026 involved:
- Over 200 nations began qualification in September 2023
- 883 qualifying matches played worldwide
- 2,480 goals scored during qualification
- 42 teams qualified automatically as of February 2026
- 6 teams competing in March 2026 playoffs
Format Comparison: 2022 vs 2026
| Aspect | 2022 Qatar | 2026 North America |
| Total Teams | 32 | 48 |
| Total Matches | 64 | 104 |
| Group Stage Format | 8 groups of 4 | 12 groups of 4 |
| Teams Advancing | 16 | 32 |
| Tournament Duration | 32 days | 39 days |
| Host Nations | 1 | 3 |
| New Knockout Round | None | Round of 32 |
People Also Ask About World Cup 2026
How many teams are in the World Cup 2026?
The World Cup 2026 will feature 48 teams, marking a historic expansion from the traditional 32-team format. This represents a 50% increase in participating nations, making it the largest FIFA World Cup ever organized.
What will happen on 19 July 2026?
On July 19, 2026, the FIFA World Cup Final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New York/New Jersey. This match will crown the 2026 World Cup champion and conclude the 39-day tournament that began on June 11, 2026.
Who is excluded from the World Cup 2026?
Russia remains excluded from the 2026 World Cup due to FIFA’s suspension following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Additionally, several traditional football nations failed to qualify, including Italy (pending UEFA playoffs), Chile, and Peru. Over 150 countries that entered qualification did not secure spots in the final 48-team tournament.
How many teams will there be in 2026?
There will be exactly 48 teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These teams are distributed across six confederations: UEFA (16), CAF (9), AFC (8), CONMEBOL (6), CONCACAF (6), and OFC (1), plus two additional spots determined through intercontinental playoffs.
Will 2026 have 11 teams?
No, the 2026 World Cup will not have 11 teams. This question may refer to Formula 1 racing, not football. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will have 48 teams participating. If you’re asking about F1, there will be 10 teams (not 11) competing in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Who will replace Red Bull driver in 2026?
This question relates to Formula 1, not the FIFA World Cup. For F1-related driver changes in 2026, please consult Formula 1 official sources, as this article focuses exclusively on the FIFA World Cup 2026 football tournament featuring 48 national teams.
Conclusion
The answer to how many countries are going to be in the World Cup 2026 is definitively 48 nations, marking the most inclusive and expansive World Cup in history. This groundbreaking expansion from 32 to 48 teams ensures unprecedented global representation, with every confederation guaranteed participation for the first time ever. As the tournament approaches in June 2026, football fans worldwide eagerly anticipate witnessing history across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The World Cup 2026 promises to deliver unforgettable moments, showcase emerging talents from all continents, and unite the global football community in celebration of the beautiful game. Whether you’re supporting a traditional powerhouse or cheering for a first-time qualifier, this historic tournament will redefine what it means to compete on football’s grandest stage.
With 104 matches over 39 days, featuring teams from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania, the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents not just an expansion in numbers but an expansion of dreams, opportunities, and the universal language of football that connects billions of fans worldwide.
Marvi Channa is the author at DailyNewsHub.site, sharing breaking news, tech updates, sports highlights, and trending global stories with clarity and credibility. She’s passionate about timely reporting and keeping readers informed fast