{"id":22084,"date":"2026-06-09T15:55:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T12:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=22084"},"modified":"2026-06-09T15:55:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T12:55:52","slug":"2026-world-cup-format","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/2026-world-cup-format\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Expanded 48-Team Format Changes the 2026 World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post_banner sticky\">\r\n                    <div class=\"container\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\">\r\n                        <div class=\"text\">\r\n                            <p>Chooose your bet on <a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/football\/world\/fifa-world-cup\">FIFA World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                        <a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/football\/world\/fifa-world-cup\">BET<\/a>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"responsibly\">18+ | Play responsibly | BeGambleAware.org<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2026 FIFA World Cup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will introduce the biggest format change in tournament history. For the first time, 48 national teams will compete instead of 32, increasing the number of matches, expanding qualification opportunities, and changing how the group stage and knockout rounds work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The updated 2026 World Cup format affects scheduling, tournament structure, qualification pathways, and football betting markets. It also restructures how teams approach group-stage matches, squad rotation, and qualification scenarios.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article explains the 2026 World Cup format, how the expanded tournament works, and what these changes mean.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is the 2026 World Cup Format?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 FIFA World Cup format expands the tournament from <\/span><strong>32 to 48 teams<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it the first FIFA World Cup held across three countries. A total of 104 matches will be played across the competition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The competition will feature:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 groups of four teams<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three group-stage matches per team<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new round of 32 knockout stage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">104 total matches across the tournament<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the knockout stage. In addition, the eight best third-placed teams will also progress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These qualification rules are also important when understanding how World Cup group stage rules affect <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/football\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">football betting markets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>2026 World Cup Format Overview<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expansion increases the number of participating nations by 50% and adds 40 extra matches compared to the 2022 tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Tournament Element<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">2022 World Cup<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">2026 World Cup<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Total Teams<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">32<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">48<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Groups<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">8<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">12<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Teams per group<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group stage matches<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">48<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">72<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Teams reaching knockouts<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">16<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">32<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Total matches<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">64<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">104<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Host nations<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">3<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How the Group Stage Works in the 2026 World Cup<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The group stage will remain a round-robin format. Each team plays:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One match against each group opponent<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three matches in total<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard points system (three points for a win, one for a draw)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the knockout stage, alongside the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This creates additional qualification scenarios late in the group stage, which can influence football betting markets and match pricing, similar to how a dead rubber match can impact football odds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Why FIFA Expanded the World Cup to 48 Teams<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FIFA introduced the expanded 48-team World Cup format to increase global participation and commercial reach. The changes allow:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More nations to qualify<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional matches and broadcasting opportunities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater representation from emerging football regions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded qualification places across all confederations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The larger format particularly benefits regions like Africa (CAF), Asia (AFC), and North and Central America (CONCACAF). Several nations that historically struggled to qualify may now have a more realistic pathway to the tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Confederation Allocation for the 2026 World Cup<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This expansion means more teams from outside Europe and South America are expected to participate in the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Confederation<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">2022 Places<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">2026 Places<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">UEFA (Europe)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">13<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">16<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">CAF (Africa)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">5<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">AFC (Asia)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">8<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">CONMEBOL (South America)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">6<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">CONCACAF<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">3<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">6<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">OFC (Oceania)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Play-Off Places<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel schedules, climate conditions, and stadium environments may also vary significantly across the tournament because of how multiple host countries affect World Cup match conditions in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How the Knockout Stage Changes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 World Cup introduces a Round of 32 for the first time. The knockout stages will now include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round of 32<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round of 16<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quarter-finals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semi-finals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All knockout matches remain single-elimination <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/schedule\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fixtures<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If scores are level after 90 minutes, then extra time is played and penalty shootouts decide the winner if required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expanded knockout structure creates more elimination matches and additional betting markets throughout the tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Live betting markets may also become more active during knockout football because match momentum, substitutions, and extra-time scenarios can quickly affect pricing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/football\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-17265 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Football.jpg\" alt=\"Banner for football betting\" width=\"900\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Football.jpg 900w, https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Football-300x83.jpg 300w, https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Football-768x213.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How the 2026 World Cup Format Could Affect Football Betting<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The new structure changes how teams may approach tournament football. Potential impacts include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater squad rotation during group matches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More cautious approaches from teams targeting third-place qualification<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased importance of goal difference and tie-breakers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/football\/world\/fifa-world-cup\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FIFA World Cup 2026 betting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> markets across the expanded fixture list<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The larger tournament may increase market volatility because more matches will involve teams with limited World Cup experience, while football odds continue to reflect implied probability rather than certainty regardless of format changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>2026 World Cup Key Dates<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Stage<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Expected Dates<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Opening Match<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">11 June 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group Stage Ends<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">27 June 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Round of 32 Begins<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Late June 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Quarter-finals<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">July 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Final<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">19 July 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tournament schedule will span approximately 39 days, making it the longest FIFA World Cup in the modern format era.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Which Countries Are Hosting the 2026 World Cup?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tournament will be hosted across:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mexico<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will be the first World Cup jointly hosted by three nations. The United States will host the majority of matches, including the final. Mexico will become the first country to host matches across three separate men\u2019s World Cups.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How the Expanded Format Changes Tournament Strategy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tournament will expand from 64 matches to 104 matches, and the larger structure may influence how teams manage:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Squad fitness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel schedules<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rotation policies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Risk during group-stage fixtures<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because third-placed teams can qualify, some nations may prioritise avoiding defeat over chasing wins in certain scenarios. This can influence the match tempo, tactical approaches, goals markets, and in-play betting behaviour.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"post_banner\">\r\n                    <div class=\"container\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Frame-8109.jpg\">\r\n                        <div class=\"text\">\r\n                            <p>Explore betting markets for FIFA World Cup<\/p>\n\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"banner-right\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/football\/world\/fifa-world-cup\">Place your bet <\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"responsibly\">18+ | Play responsibly | BeGambleAware.org<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Understanding the 2026 World Cup Format<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 World Cup format represents the largest structural change in FIFA World Cup history. Expanding to 48 teams increases the number of matches, changes qualification pathways, and creates a new Round of 32 knockout stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The updated format also affects football betting markets by introducing more fixtures, more qualification scenarios, and additional knockout matches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the structure changes how the tournament operates, football outcomes remain uncertain. Odds and market pricing reflect probability rather than guaranteed results.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 World Cup Format<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>What is the format of the 2026 World Cup?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 World Cup format features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to the new Round of 32 knockout stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How many teams will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A total of 48 national teams will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is an increase from the previous 32-team format used between 1998 and 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How many matches will be played at the 2026 World Cup?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 World Cup will include 104 matches across the tournament. This is 40 more matches than the 64 played during the 2022 World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Will third-placed teams qualify in the 2026 World Cup?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, third-placed teams can qualify for the knockout stage in the 2026 World Cup. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups will advance to the Round of 32.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Why did FIFA expand the World Cup to 48 teams?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams to increase global participation and create more qualification opportunities for different confederations. The larger format also increases the number of matches and participating nations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How does the knockout stage work in the 2026 World Cup?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The knockout stage begins with a new Round of 32 and continues through the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. If a knockout match is level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties may be used to decide the winner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Will the 2026 World Cup format affect football betting markets?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, the expanded format may influence football betting markets because there will be more matches, additional qualification scenarios, and a wider range of teams participating. However, odds reflect implied probability rather than guaranteed outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #18ae62;\">Betting is only available to participants aged 18 years and over. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 FIFA World Cup will introduce the biggest format change in tournament history. For the first time, 48 national<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":22088,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22084","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>2026 World Cup Format: How the 48-Team Tournament Works<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how the 2026 World Cup format works, including the new 48-team structure, group stage rules, and what changes for football betting.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/2026-world-cup-format\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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