Expanded Tournament
2026 World Cup Format Explained
The 2026 FIFA World Cup uses a 48-team format for the first time. That means more groups, more knockout teams, and a larger bracket to predict.
12 groups of 4
Every group has four teams. Each team plays three group-stage matches.
32 teams advance
The top two teams from each group advance, joined by the eight best third-place teams.
Annex C bracket paths
The third-place qualifiers are placed into the Round of 32 based on which groups they come from.
104 total matches
The expanded format creates the biggest World Cup match schedule yet.
How To Use This In Your Bracket
Start by ranking every group. Once the group stage is complete, select the eight third-place teams you think will qualify. FootBracket then helps place teams into the Round of 32 so you can predict the path to the final.
Try the Bracket Maker