New World Cup Format Agreed: 48 Teams, 104 Matches For 39 Days

World Cup illustration. (Photo: Twitter @Argentina)

JAKARTA - The World Cup will certainly start using a new format in 2026. The number of teams, groups and matches will increase in number.

The FIFA Board meeting held in Kigali, Rwandal, Wednesday, March 15, has agreed on the new format.

With this new format, the World Cup will be attended by 48 teams. A total of 104 matches will be presented to world football lovers.

"The FIFA committee has agreed to accept proposals to change the 2026 World Cup format from 16 groups containing three matches to 12 groups containing four teams with the top two teams and the top eight third-placed best to qualify for the last 32," FIFA said in an official statement. them quoted by Reuters via Antara, on Wednesday.

"This format is carried out to minimize risks and ensure that all teams play at least three matches, while providing sufficient rest time for the participating teams," the statement continued.

The change in format to 48 teams is the first since the format of 32 teams was introduced at the 1998 World Cup. At the 2022 World Cup, 32 teams spent a total of 29 days completing the tournament.

Meanwhile, the 2026 World Cup will last for 39 days. The 2026 World Cup will also be the first to be held in three countries, namely the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Previously, FIFA proposed that the 2026 World Cup have a total of 80 matches before being added to 104 matches.

Initially FIFA would use a one-group format containing three teams, but the proposal was canceled due to fears that there would be a clash schedule. The number of teams in one group will not change, namely four.

For the 2026 edition, 24 teams will qualify from the top two positions and the eight best third-placed teams.