FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, organized into a 12-group format.

FIFA has unveiled a 12-group format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic expansion as the tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time.

CBI News reports that the competition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will kick off on Thursday, June 11, with hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match in Mexico City.

The expanded format increases the number of matches and offers more nations the chance to compete on football’s biggest stage, with games to be played across multiple cities in the three host countries making it the first tri-nation World Cup in history.

The group stage will run throughout June, with 12 groups in place.

Teams will compete for qualification into the knockout rounds, where only top sides and the best-performing runners-up will advance.

Following the group phase, the tournament will move into the knockout stage, where the intensity is expected to rise as teams battle for a place in the final.

The new structure is anticipated to deliver more excitement, unpredictability, and broader global representation.

Groups confirmed after play-offs

The final group lineup was completed after the European and inter-continental play-offs.

1. Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic.
2. Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.
3. Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
4. Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.
5. Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.
6. Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia.
7. Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
8. Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.
9. Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway.
10. Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
11. Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia.
12. Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.