FIFA has reversed the decision to have 16 groups of three teams in the expanded 2026 World Cup, and will instead go back to the traditional four-team groups, as used since the tournament expanded to 32 teams in 1998.
The new format will result in 104 matches, including a new round-of-32 stage.FIFA said that the top two teams and eight best third-placed teams would progress to the last 32, mitigating the risk of collusion and ensuring all teams play a minimum of three matches.
The move was approved at FIFA’s council meeting in Rwanda, with the final match scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026.
FIFA also approved a 32-team Club World Cup, starting in June 2025, and confirmed the access list, with two teams per country, except where more than two teams win their confederation’s top tournament.
FIFA will establish a task force to address player welfare and mandatory rest periods, responding to concerns from player organizations and club managers regarding fixture congestion and player welfare.
