World Cup 2026 set to feature 48 teams for first time

The FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, will feature a record 48 teams. This expansion introduces 16 more teams compared to the 2022 tournament in Qatar, resulting in 104 matches overall and an additional knockout round. Noteworthy first-time participants include Uzbekistan, Jordan, Cape Verde, and Curacao, along with the return of teams such as Norway and Scotland after lengthy absences. Criticism surrounds the format change, with concerns that the enlargement may dilute the quality of play and exacerbate player fatigue due to an already congested fixture schedule.

• 1:00 PMYahoo Sports — World Cup 2026: Are you a fan of the 48-team World Cup format or not? Debate the pros and cons