104 games will be played, 40 more than in the previous format

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The FIFA Council, meeting this Tuesday in Kigali (Rwanda), has approved the new format of the 2026 World Cup, according to which the participating teams will be divided into twelve groups of four teams.

The increase in the number of teams that will compete in the final phase, from the 32 from France 1998 to Qatar 2022, to 48 from the next appointment, forces this distribution, according to which the first two and the eight will pass the group stage. best third.

In total, from this World Cup that will take place in Canada, the United States and Mexico, 104 games will be played, 40 more than in the previous format and the duration will also be 40 days, between June 8 and July 19 .

According to FIFA, “the revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams.”

Likewise, the Council unanimously approved the calendars of international matches “after a detailed consultation process.”