How many teams advance from each group in the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has expanded to include 48 participating nations, resulting in an unprecedented 104 matches played over 39 days. This significant increase in scale necessitates a revised tournament format, including an additional knockout round.

Under the new structure, teams compete in a round-robin group stage where the top two finishers from each group automatically qualify for the Round of 32. They will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams, creating a 32-team elimination bracket. This means that to win the tournament, a team will need to play eight matches, one more than in previous editions.

Argentina, the reigning champions from Qatar 2022, will defend their title. Historically, Brazil holds the record with five World Cup victories, followed by Germany and Italy, each with four titles. France and Uruguay have each won the tournament twice, while England and Spain have one title apiece. The expanded format aims to increase global participation and provide more opportunities for nations to compete on the world's biggest stage.