The 2026 World Cup format with 48 teams is not just a number in a FIFA press release — it is a living tournament mechanism that is showing its full force today. On July 1, three Round of 32 matches are on the schedule, each carrying its own storyline: a favourite that must prove its status, an underdog with nothing to lose, and a host nation playing on home soil. The winners of these ties will face each other in the Round of 16, so the stakes are higher than they might first appear.
How the 48-Team Format Works at WC 2026
WC 2026 Format: 48 Teams — How It Works in Practice features 12 groups of four teams. The top two from each group advance to the knockout stage, with eight additional spots going to the best third-placed sides — which is exactly why the group stage of this year's World Cup was so intense right up to the final matchday. In total, the tournament consists of a record 104 matches and will last 39 days.
12 Groups of 4: Who Advances to the Knockout Stage
The group stage is over — all 32 participants in the Round of 32 have been determined. England won Group L, beating Croatia (4:2) and Panama (2:0) and drawing with Ghana (0:0). DR Congo advanced from Group K in third place with 4 points. Belgium finished first in Group G, thrashing New Zealand 5:1 in the final matchday. Senegal also advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams. The USA won Group D thanks to victories over Paraguay (4:1) and Australia (2:0). Bosnia and Herzegovina came through in third place from Group B after a decisive 3:1 win over Qatar.
The Rule of the 8 Best Third-Placed Teams
The rule of the eight best third-placed teams became one of the main talking points of the group stage. Bosnia and Herzegovina were the first team to secure a spot in that group of eight — 4 points and a goal difference of −1 proved sufficient. Iran, by contrast, were eliminated by this very mechanism: Austria's 3:3 draw with Algeria dropped Iran to ninth place among the third-placed sides — and out of the tournament.
Scenarios
- England vs DR Congo (19:00 Kyiv time, Atlanta). The Three Lions are favourites, but DR Congo already showed their character in Group K, coming back from 3:1 down against Uzbekistan. If England win, they will face Mexico in the Round of 16 in Mexico City on July 6. If there is an upset, Mexico will get an unexpected opponent from Central Africa.
- Belgium vs Senegal (23:00 Kyiv time, Seattle). Belgium are ranked 10th in the world and won Group G. Senegal finished third in Group I but scored five goals in their final match against Iraq. The winner of this tie will face the winner of USA vs Bosnia in the Round of 16.
- USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (03:00 Kyiv time on July 2, Santa Clara). The host nation plays at home — the psychological advantage is clear. The USA won Group D convincingly, though they did lose to Turkey (2:3) in the third matchday when qualification was already secured. Bosnia are playing only their second World Cup in history.
Tonight is not just three matches — it is the formation of a quarter of the Round of 16 bracket. Watch how France (already in the Round of 16 after a 3:0 win over Sweden) and Norway (2:1 over Côte d'Ivoire) await their opponents, as three decisive evenings of the World Cup still lie ahead. Tomorrow it is Spain vs Austria and Portugal vs Croatia: two more ties that will definitively shape the quarter-final bracket.
See also: Round of 32: France vs Sweden and Three Matches That Will Decide the Evening
Photo: International Olympic Committee · Editorial (source)
