With the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the consecration of Argentina, many doubts were raised about the next edition of the World Cup World Championship. As is known, FIFA announced that it will make a number of changes for the 2026 tournament, among which the increase in places and the change in format stand out.
Regarding the first point, the body confirmed the distribution of the quotas for each confederation and in this way Conmebol will bring together six winners one and a half in view of the fair that will take place in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
How many places will there be for the 2026 World Cup?
The next edition of the World Cup will feature 48 participating teams, as opposed to the 32 that competed in Qatar 2022.
- Asia: 8.5
- Africa: 9.5
- North, Central America and the Caribbean: 6.5
- Europe: 16
- South America: 6.5
- Oceania: 1.5
Qatar 2022 World Cup odds
WM-2026 format
With a larger number of squads (48), the entity is forced to change their usual system (8 eight groups of four teams each).
As The Guardian mentioned, FIFA co-evaluated a format 12 groups of four teams each. This way, the top two and top eight thirds would qualify for a direct elimination instance (round of 16, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals).
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
So far, FIFA has mentioned that the next edition of the World Cup will again take place in the middle of the year, just like before Qatar 2022.
Where will the 2026 World Cup be held?
For the first time in history, the 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada.