FIFA confirm the 2026 World Cup will contain 12 groups of four teams

"Based on a thorough review that considered sporting integrity, player welfare, team travel, commercial and sporting attractiveness, as well as team and fan experience, the FIFA Council unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 competition format from 16 groups of three to 12 groups of four with the top two and eight best third-placed teams progressing to a round of 32," FIFA confirmed.

"The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams"

The change, therefore, means that the four semi-finalist teams will play eight matches in total, increasing the previous maximum of seven games that has been in place since 1974.

The decision was made by the FIFA Council, meeting in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

The body will hold its congress in the African country from Thursday, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to be re-elected for another term until 2027.