FIFA has finalized the list of 48 national teams that will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This marks the first tournament to feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from the previous 32.
The qualification process, which concluded in March 2026, saw teams from FIFA's six continental confederations secure their places. The host nations—USA, Canada, and Mexico—qualified automatically. The final lineup includes a record number of debutant nations from various confederations.
The tournament format will feature 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a new 32-team knockout stage. The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, in Mexico City.
The expanded format has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising increased global representation and others expressing concerns over logistical challenges and potential dilution of competitive quality. The 2026 edition will be the largest World Cup in history.
