2026 World Cup: New Format & Key Changes
🏟️ The New Look World Cup: Format & What’s Different in 2026 For 2026, the World Cup expands to 48 teams , divided into 12 groups of four rather than the old 32-team, 8-group format. From each group: the top two teams advance automatically, plus the eight best third-placed teams — yielding a 32-team knockout round (Round of 32 → Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semis → Final), plus a third-place playoff. The draw was held on December 5, 2025, and the 48-team field is now mostly set (final six spots still will be filled via playoffs). Because of this expanded format, more underdogs and so-called “mid-tier” nations may reach knockout rounds — and “surprise third-place qualifications” could become pivotal. 📊 Group-Stage Predictions: Who Tops Each Group According to early expert consensus, many traditional powers remain favorites to win their groups, though a few “dark horse” shocks can’t be ruled out. Here’s a snapshot of some key group predictions: Group / Example Predicted Group Winner* Com…
