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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jamie Gardner

Expanded 2026 World Cup to feature 48 teams and new last-32 stage

World Cup Council Fifa the FIFA Council Chelsea
PA Wire

The 2026 World Cup will feature 12 four-team groups and a last-32 knockout round for the first time.

The format for the 48-team tournament, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was approved at a meeting of the Fifa Council in Kigali, Rwanda on Tuesday.

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