2026 tournament expands to 48 teams, 104 games and record tickets
The Copa of the 2026 Mundo will mark the history of football with unprecedented numbers. Pela For the first time, 48 teams will compete in the tournament between June 11th and July 19th, in a competition that will total 104 matches. Fifa put almost seven million tickets on sale, a volume that should surpass the previous record of 3.5 million sold in 1994 at Estados Unidos. The event will be held simultaneously on Estados Unidos, Canadá and México, marking the first time that three nations have hosted the tournament together.
The structural transformation represents the biggest change to the format since 1998, when the competition expanded from 24 to 32 participants. The increase from 32 to 48 teams was approved by Conselho of Fifa in March 2023, doubling the presence of teams compared to the previous edition. The 48 teams will be distributed into 12 groups with four teams each, creating a new knockout phase: the round of 32.
Crescimento 62% in number of matches
The total of 104 games represents a significant expansion compared to Copa’s Catar in 2022, which had 64 games. The group stage will maintain 48 matches, but 40 additional matches were included with the creation of the 32 round of 32, followed by round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. Essa’s expanded structure reflects Fifa’s ambition to maximize the tournament’s global reach.
The 16 stadiums distributed among the three host countries also highlight the expansion. Na Rússia in 2018, 12 arenas were used. No Catar in 2022, just eight. The number of stadiums doubled compared to the previous edition, reflecting the geographical breadth of the tournament, which covers three nations on the American continent and requires unprecedented infrastructure.
Ingressos priced above initial promises
The minimum value for a ticket is US$60, approximately R$293, significantly exceeding the initial promise of US$21 made in the application dossier. Most games will require much larger outlays from fans, with variations depending on the sales phases opened by Fifa. Casos extremes appeared on the official resale platform, where a ticket holder for the final even set the price at US$2 million, a value that does not reflect the realistic market.
- Initial Fase: base prices depending on game category
- Subsequent Fases: progressive increases depending on availability
- Official Revenda: market variations between US$60 and speculative values
- Mercado secondary: direct negotiations between fans
Prêmios cash reaches record $871 million
The financial distribution will reach US$871 million, approximately R$4.2 billion, among the 48 participating teams. The amount is more than double that awarded in Copa than Catar in 2022, reflecting the commercial expansion of the tournament. The champion team will receive US$50 million in prizes, with progressive bonuses as they advance in the competition. Diferentemente from previous editions that concentrated resources on the final stages, teams that do not go beyond the group stage will also receive financial compensation.
Brasil, with five world titles, holds the all-time record for achievements, ahead of Alemanha and Itália, both with four. The prize distribution reflects Fifa’s commitment to expanding financial benefits to all participating confederations, not just those advancing to the final stages.
Árbitras is part of a team of 52 main referees
Pela For the first time, two female referees will act as main judges of matches in Copa of Mundo. Tori Penso, from Estados Unidos, and Katia Garcia, from México, were selected from among 52 main referees chosen for 2026. The arbitration body represents the six continental confederations and 50 different national federations, marking institutional advancement in international representation. Ambas have experience in high-level international competitions and were nominated after a rigorous technical evaluation process.
New Logística with three host nations
Simultaneous performance on Estados Unidos, Canadá and México introduces unprecedented logistical challenges. Nenhuma Copa from the previous Mundo was hosted by multiple countries, requiring coordination between football confederations of the three hosts and Fifa’s centralized organization. The three countries share responsibilities for infrastructure, security, accommodation and transport of delegations, fans and media. Essa formatting represents structural transformation in the model for holding the most important tournament in world football.
