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| The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 48 participating teams. (Source: Getty Images) |
How many teams will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
According to a decision from the International Football Federation (FIFA), the 2026 World Cup will have a total of 48 national teams participating in the final tournament. This is the first time in history that the biggest football event on the planet has adopted this expanded format.
Previously, the World Cup maintained a size of 32 teams from 1998 until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, FIFA believes that increasing the number of teams will make the tournament more global, creating opportunities for many new football nations to participate in the highest level of competition.
With 48 participating teams, the 2026 World Cup will also become the largest World Cup ever. The total number of matches will increase sharply from 64 to 104, and the duration will also be longer, taking place from June 11th to July 19th.
Expanding the number of participating teams is seen as a strategic move by FIFA to promote the development of football worldwide. Many regions, such as Asia, Africa, and CONCACAF, will receive more qualifying spots, thereby opening up greater opportunities for national teams that previously had limited chances to compete for World Cup qualification.
How will the format of the 2026 World Cup change?
According to the new format, 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups, with 4 teams in each group. The top two teams from each group, along with the 8 best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout round.
This change significantly increases the number of matches and provides more opportunities for teams to compete. At the same time, fans will get to watch more exciting matchups compared to previous World Cups.
Furthermore, the increase in the number of teams also leads to changes in the allocation of qualifying spots by continental football federations. Asia is one of the regions that benefits greatly, with the number of qualifying spots increasing from 4.5 to 8.5. This opens up hope for many teams in the region, including Vietnam, to aim for their first-ever qualification for the World Cup.
Beyond Asia, Africa has also seen a significant increase in the number of participating countries, while Europe remains the region with the most representatives in the finals. FIFA expects that this expansion will help make the World Cup more diverse in terms of professionalism and facilitate the balanced development of football globally.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This will also be the first time in history that three countries have co-hosted a World Cup.
With a record increase in the number of teams and matches, the 2026 World Cup is expected to be the biggest, most exciting, and most emotionally charged World Cup in the history of world football. Changes to the format not only create more opportunities for new teams but also promise many exciting surprises for fans worldwide.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/fifa-world-cup-2026-co-bao-nhieu-doi-tham-du-395969.html
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