2026 World Cup group stage features 48 teams and new format
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 10:30 AM
Last updated Jun 10, 2026
The 2026 World Cup group stage will feature 48 teams, expanding the tournament's format from the previous 32-team setup. This change allows for an initial round of 32, with teams divided into 12 groups. The top two from each group, along with eight best third-place teams, will move to the knockout stage. Tiebreakers will include points, goal difference, and goals scored among others. Group J includes Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, with matches scheduled to start on June 17.
- •48 teams will participate in the 2026 World Cup group stage.
- •Group J features Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
- •Matches in Group J begin on June 17.
- •New format includes a round of 32 knockout stage.
- •Tiebreakers will determine advancement for third-place teams.
- 12:04 PMYahoo Sports — 🌎 World Cup 2026: introducing Group I 🇫🇷🇳🇴🇸🇳🇮🇶
- 12:00 PMYahoo Sports — World Cup Group Stage: Schedule, scores and how to watch
- 10:30 AMYahoo Sports — How does the 2026 World Cup group stage work?
- 10:19 AMYahoo Sports — 🌎 2026 World Cup: meet group J 🇦🇷🇩🇿🇦🇹🇯🇴
"One of the biggest sporting events on the planet is about to begin. Starting on Thursday, the FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The World Cup begins with the group stage, as the 48 teams in the field battle it out to secure one of the 32 spots in […]
"The presentation of Group I of the 2026 World Cup!The teams ⚔️France 🇫🇷Norway 🇳🇴Senegal 🇸🇳Iraq 🇮🇶The schedule 📝16.06 - 9pm: France vs Senegal17.06 - 12am: Iraq vs ...
"The presentation of Group J of the 2026 World Cup!The teams ⚔️Argentina 🇦🇷Algeria 🇩🇿Austria 🇦🇹Jordan 🇯🇴The schedule 📝17.06 - 03:00: Argentina vs Algeria17.06 - 06:...
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 12:04 PM🌎 World Cup 2026: introducing Group I 🇫🇷🇳🇴🇸🇳🇮🇶
The presentation of Group I of the 2026 World Cup!The teams ⚔️France 🇫🇷Norway 🇳🇴Senegal 🇸🇳Iraq 🇮🇶The schedule 📝16.06 - 9pm: France vs Senegal17.06 - 12am: Iraq vs ...
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 12:00 PMWorld Cup Group Stage: Schedule, scores and how to watch
One of the biggest sporting events on the planet is about to begin. Starting on Thursday, the FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The World Cup begins with the group stage, as the 48 teams in the field battle it out to secure one of the 32 spots in […]
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 10:30 AMHow does the 2026 World Cup group stage work?
How does the World Cup group stage work? Here are the particulars and more for the now 48-team tournament.
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 10:19 AM🌎 2026 World Cup: meet group J 🇦🇷🇩🇿🇦🇹🇯🇴
The presentation of Group J of the 2026 World Cup!The teams ⚔️Argentina 🇦🇷Algeria 🇩🇿Austria 🇦🇹Jordan 🇯🇴The schedule 📝17.06 - 03:00: Argentina vs Algeria17.06 - 06:...
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