JOHANNESBURG. – The World Cup 2026 is the first with 48 teams. The expanded format adds a new Round of 32 and changes how teams qualify from the group stage. Here is how it works.
48 teams and 12 groups
The 48 teams are drawn into 12 groups of four, labelled A to L. Each team plays three group games. South Africa are in Group A with Mexico, South Korea and Czechia.
How teams qualify for the Round of 32
The top two teams in each group advance. That is 24 teams. The eight best third placed teams across the 12 groups also go through. That makes 32 teams in the first knockout round.
The third place rule
Third placed teams are ranked across all 12 groups on points then goal difference then goals scored. The top eight qualify. A third placed finish can be enough to reach the Round of 32, which keeps more teams alive deeper into the group stage.
Knockout rounds to the final
The Round of 32 feeds into the Round of 16, the quarter finals, the semi finals then the final on 19 July 2026. Every knockout tie is a single match decided on the day, with extra time then penalties if needed.
More
See the full fixtures and the Bafana Bafana hub for the South African campaign.
