The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico with an expanded 48-team format, marking the largest expansion in tournament history. This represents a significant departure from previous World Cup formats and reflects FIFA's strategic decision to increase participation and global representation in the competition. Miami has been confirmed to host seven matches during the tournament, serving as one of the primary venues in the United States.
The expansion from the traditional 32-team format to 48 participating nations represents the most substantial change to the FIFA World Cup structure in decades. This increase in participating teams necessitates modifications to the qualification structure and match scheduling. The new format maintains the competitive integrity of the tournament while providing additional opportunities for national teams from emerging football nations to compete at the highest level.
The decision to expand the tournament reflects FIFA's commitment to growing the global reach of the World Cup and increasing participation among member nations. The 48-team format allows for greater representation of football talent across different continental confederations, including UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, and OFC.