How many groups are in the World Cup 2026?

There are 12 groups of four teams each, labelled A to L, making 48 teams in total.

How do teams qualify from the group stage?

The top two from each of the 12 groups go through, plus the eight best third-placed teams. That makes 32 teams in the new expanded knockout round.

How is the World Cup 2026 format different from before?

It expands from 32 to 48 teams, and from eight groups of four to 12 groups of four. A new round of 32 is added before the round of 16, so the winners play more matches than in past tournaments.

When was the World Cup 2026 group draw?

The final draw took place on 5 December 2025, setting the 12 groups and the full group-stage schedule.

World Cup 2026 Groups & Format Explained (48 Teams, 12 Groups)

Fanzone · 2 June 2026 · 2 min read

World Cup 2026 has a brand-new shape. Here's how the groups and qualification actually work, minus the jargon.

The format

48 teams (up from 32 in 2022).
Split into 12 groups of four, Groups A through L.
Each team plays the other three in its group once.

How teams advance

This is the new bit. Out of 48 teams, 32 reach the knockout stage:

The top two from each of the 12 groups (24 teams), plus
The eight best third-placed teams across all groups.

That means finishing third can still be enough, which keeps more games meaningful right to the final whistle of the group stage.

See the live groups

Group tables update as results come in. You can see all 12 groups, standings and each team's fixtures here:

World Cup 2026 groups & standingsLive tables for all 12 groups, plus every team's fixtures.View groups →

Make it your own

Want a physical version to fill in by hand? Our free printable wall chart has all 12 groups with score boxes and the full knockout bracket:

Free printable wall chartAll 12 groups + the knockout bracket, ready to print.Get the wall chart →

Frequently asked questions

How many groups are in the World Cup 2026?: There are 12 groups of four teams each, labelled A to L, making 48 teams in total.
How do teams qualify from the group stage?: The top two from each of the 12 groups go through, plus the eight best third-placed teams. That makes 32 teams in the new expanded knockout round.
How is the World Cup 2026 format different from before?: It expands from 32 to 48 teams, and from eight groups of four to 12 groups of four. A new round of 32 is added before the round of 16, so the winners play more matches than in past tournaments.
When was the World Cup 2026 group draw?: The final draw took place on 5 December 2025, setting the 12 groups and the full group-stage schedule.