How many teams are in the World Cup 2026?
48 teams will compete in World Cup 2026 — a 50% increase on the 32-team format used from 1998 to 2022. It is the biggest World Cup in the history of the tournament.
The expansion at a glance
Why FIFA expanded to 48 teams
FIFA approved the 48-team format in 2017. The stated reasons:
- More nations represented. The expansion gives more of FIFA's 211 member associations a realistic path to qualification. Regions like Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), and CONCACAF gained significantly more spots.
- Commercial revenue. More matches means more broadcast revenue. The 2026 World Cup is projected to generate significantly more than 2022.
- Three host nations. The USA, Canada, and Mexico have the infrastructure to host a larger tournament across more venues.
Critics argued that expanding from 32 teams would dilute quality in the group stage. FIFA's position is that the format change — four-team groups with three qualifying spots available — maintains competitive intensity.
Qualification spots by confederation
The three host nations (USA, Canada, Mexico) qualify automatically and are included in CONCACAF's allocation. AFC doubled its allocation from 4.5 to 8 spots.
What 48 teams means for your sweepstake
For sweepstake organisers, the expanded field creates both an opportunity and a challenge:
- More teams = more participants possible. With 48 teams, a sweepstake can comfortably accommodate 48 participants (one team each), or up to 96 if two people share each team.
- Less-known nations in the draw. Participants might draw Tahiti, Indonesia, or Yemen — nations unlikely to feature in previous World Cups. This can actually increase engagement rather than reduce it.
- More scoring opportunities. 104 matches means more chances to earn points throughout the tournament, not just in the knockout rounds.
More on participant numbers: How many people can join a World Cup sweepstake?