How the new 48-team World Cup will look

Bigger is apparently better for FIFA.

The football governing body has elected to change the format of the 2026 World Cup from 32 teams to 48 teams for the first time.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his ruling council agreed that the format will be expanded to include 48 different nations playing in 16 groups of three teams.

This format will replace the current 32-team structure which calls for eight groups of four teams.

This expansion would offer an additional 16 places up for grabs and although the continental allocation has not been confirmed, recent reports suggest a merged qualification for the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL regions.

Instead of 16 teams progressing to the knockout phase, the new format is expected to see 32 teams battle it out.

Here’s how it will look:

(Courtesy: @RobHarris)

According to Rob Harris of the Associated Press this increase in size will generate an additional $975 million ($640 million after cost increases) for FIFA.