Rules · Cheat-sheet
The WC26 rulebook
in 60 seconds
USA · Canada · Mexico · June 11, 2026 → July 19, 2026. The first 48-team World Cup. Below: the format, the squad rules, the discipline thresholds, and the tech in use this tournament. For the deep-dive on each rule, see /explained.
The shape of the tournament
48
Teams
12
Groups
104
Matches
16
Stadiums
Format
Group stage
- 12 groups of 4 · Top 2 advance automatically (24 teams)
- The 8 best third-placed teams complete the bracket for 32 qualified for the knockout.
- Points: 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.
Tiebreakers (in order) →
- Greater number of points obtained in all group matches
- Goal difference in all group matches
- Greater number of goals scored in all group matches
- Greater number of points obtained in the matches played between the teams concerned
- Goal difference resulting from the matches played between the teams concerned
- Greater number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams concerned
- Fair play points (yellow/red card deductions)
- Drawing of lots by FIFA
Format
Knockout rounds
- 01Round of 32
- 02Round of 16
- 03Quarter-finals
- 04Semi-finals
- 05Third-place match
- 06Final
Drawn matches go to 30 minutes of extra time, then a penalty shootout if still level. The away-goals rule is not applied.
Squad rules
Squads & substitutions
26
Players per squad
3
Goalkeepers
5+1
Subs (90'+ ET)
+1
Concussion sub
Additional concussion substitution permitted (does not count toward 5).
Discipline
Cards & suspensions
- 2 yellow cards across separate matches → one-match ban.
- Quarter-finals (yellow card accumulations are wiped after the QF round).
- Minimum one-match ban; FIFA Disciplinary Committee may extend depending on offence.
In use this tournament
Match technology
- VARin use
- Semi-automated offsidein use
- Connected ballin use
- Goal-line technologyin use
Where + when
Hosts, venues & key dates
11
USA
2
Canada
3
Mexico
- Opener
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (Mexico) - Final
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (USA)
The prizes
Trophies & individual awards
- ●FIFA World Cup Trophy (winner)
- ●Golden Ball (best player of the tournament)
- ●Golden Boot (top scorer; assists used as tiebreaker)
- ●Golden Glove (best goalkeeper)
- ●Best Young Player Award (born on or after 1 Jan 2005)
- ●FIFA Fair Play Trophy (team with best disciplinary record advancing past R16)