A Bigger Tournament
Previous World Cups featured 32 teams, but the 2026 tournament includes 48 national teams, making it the largest World Cup ever.Instead of eight groups of four teams, the competition now has 12 groups with four teams each. The top two teams from every group, together with the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 32. From that point, the competition follows the traditional knockout stage until the final.
Because of the expansion, there will be 104 matches, compared with 64 in previous editions.
New Format at a Glance
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026: New Rules
Think about these questions:
- Why do football authorities change the rules?
- What kinds of behaviour should result in a red card?
- How do players sometimes waste time?
- Do you think VAR has improved football?
Choose the correct answer.
1. The new countdown rule was introduced mainly to:
a) help referees communicate better.
b) reduce delays during throw-ins and goal kicks.
c) allow goalkeepers more time.
2. Under the new substitution rule, if a player takes too long to leave the field:
a) the substitution is cancelled.
b) the player receives a yellow card.
c) the replacement player must wait and the team temporarily plays with ten men.
3. Why must injured players stay off the pitch for one minute after treatment?
a) To protect goalkeepers.
b) To discourage fake injuries and tactical stoppages.
c) To give doctors more time.
4. Which new power has VAR received?
a) It can review second yellow cards and cases of mistaken identity.
b) It can decide offside situations without the referee.
c) It can review every foul during the match.
5. Why may referees wear body cameras in future competitions?
a) To record fans inside the stadium.
b) To train future referees and provide viewers with a new perspective.
c) To replace VAR.
6. Under the new DOGSO rule, if advantage is played and a goal is scored:
a) the red card becomes a yellow card.
b) the player is still sent off.
c) no card is shown because the goal-scoring opportunity was not denied.
Write T (True) or F (False).
The World Cup will feature 48 teams. _____
Referees now use a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks. _____
Goalkeepers must leave the field for one minute after treatment. _____
VAR can now correct cases of mistaken identity. _____
Referees will provide and control their own body cameras. _____
The new rules are designed to increase the amount of actual playing time. _____
Time wasting has always been a problem in football. _____
The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament to apply all these rules together. _____