The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, bringing several groundbreaking changes that will reshape football’s premier event. With an expanded format, more matches, and a record-breaking hosting arrangement, fans can expect a World Cup unlike any before.
The first major change is the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 teams. The number of matches has also increased from 64 to 104, and a team will now need to play 8 matches instead of 7 to win the trophy.
This edition will also feature four teams that have never participated in a FIFA World Cup before.
Another historic aspect of the tournament is that, for the first time in FIFA World Cup history, three countries will jointly host the event.
Travel across different time zones could be challenging for players. FIFA has divided the tournament into three time zones, and after the group stage, some teams may have to travel distances of up to 5,000 kilometres.
With knockout matches being played across three different countries, fans may also face significant travel expenses and visa-related challenges.
In addition, for the first time in FIFA World Cup history, a halftime show will be held during the final match, featuring performances by Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
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