FIFA Announces New Changes to World Cup Format

FIFA has officially announced new changes to the format of the World Cup, starting from the 2026 tournament. The number of participating teams will increase from 32 to 48, with the tournament being divided into 16 groups of three teams each.

The top two teams from each group will advance to a knockout stage, similar to the current format. This change is aimed at giving more countries the opportunity to participate in the World Cup and increase the overall competitiveness of the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his excitement about the new format, stating that it will allow more teams to experience the thrill of competing on the world stage.