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FIFA Council Approves World Cup Expansion to 48 Teams Starting in 2026

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The Council of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) approved on Tuesday a plan to expand the number of World Cup final tournament... 10.01.2017, Sputnik International

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FIFA Council Approves World Cup Expansion to 48 Teams Starting in 2026

09:48 GMT 10.01.2017 (Updated: 20:43 GMT 19.10.2022)

The Council of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) approved on Tuesday a plan to expand the number of World Cup final tournament participants to 48 teams from the current 32.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The decision issued by the 37-member FIFA Council in Zurich envisions a 2026 championship made up of 16 three-team groups, FIFA said on its Twitter account. It promised further details after the council meeting.

The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026:
16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting.
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 10, 2017

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the expansion proposal on October 3, 2016, explaining at the time that 16 teams would qualify directly to the group stage and 32 teams would compete for the remaining 16 spots.