World Cup 2026 Format Guide

The expanded tournament uses 48 teams, 12 groups of four, 72 group-stage matches, eight best third-place qualifiers, and a 32-team knockout bracket.

What this covers

12 groups of four teams

Use this as a practical entry point into the World Cup 2026 simulator, bracket predictor, group stage calculator, and shareable prediction tools.

Top two teams from every group advance

Use this as a practical entry point into the World Cup 2026 simulator, bracket predictor, group stage calculator, and shareable prediction tools.

Eight best third-place teams complete the Round of 32

Use this as a practical entry point into the World Cup 2026 simulator, bracket predictor, group stage calculator, and shareable prediction tools.

Knockout bracket runs from Round of 32 to final

Use this as a practical entry point into the World Cup 2026 simulator, bracket predictor, group stage calculator, and shareable prediction tools.

Use the simulator

Continue into FUCHIBOL to predict scores, rank groups, calculate third-place teams, build the Round of 32 bracket, and choose a champion.