The International Football Federation (FIFA) has decided on the details of changing the format of the 2026 World Cup, The Athletic reports..

For the first time, 48 teams will play in the final part of the tournament - 32 teams have played at this stage since the 1998 World Cup.

At the same time, it was planned that the teams would be divided into 16 groups of three teams, however, after the 2022 World Cup, it was decided to abandon this idea due to a possible loss of intrigue in the final round.

As a result, FIFA decided to create 12 groups of four teams.. The teams that took the first two places will go to the playoffs, as well as the eight best participants who will take third places..

In total, 104 matches will take place in 39 days of the tournament.. This will be the longest-running World Cup in history.. Recall that the World Cup 2026 will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

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FIFA announced the cities that will host matches of the 2026 World Cup.