All Goals. One Cup. 2026.
The 2026 World Cup introduces a brand new Round of 32, adding an extra knockout stage before the traditional Round of 16. This guide explains how it works, who qualifies, how the bracket is structured, and why the new format changes the tournament for teams and fans alike.
Explore all 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup, including every team, the expanded 48-team format, group-stage dates, key matches, venues, and how qualification to the Round of 32 works.
The 2026 World Cup will send the eight best third-placed teams from 12 groups into the Round of 32, creating a high-stakes cross-group race decided by points, goal difference, goals scored, fair play, and FIFA ranking.
Kosovo at the 2026 World Cup is two wins away—a remarkable debut story for a nation that joined FIFA just nine years ago. Playoff path, key players, and Group D explained.
Wales World Cup 2026: Can Craig Bellamy's Dragons reach back-to-back World Cups? Full guide to play-offs vs Bosnia, potential final vs Italy, group stage & key players.
Scotland are going to the 2026 World Cup after 28 years. Here is everything the Tartan Army needs to know about their Group C clash with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, plus fixtures, key players and Steve Clarke's tactics.
Italy haven’t played at a World Cup since 2014 — and once again their path back runs through a brutal playoff. After finishing second to Norway in Group I, the four-time champions must beat Northern Ireland in Bergamo on 26 March, then win an away final on 31 March against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. With past playoff scars still fresh, Gennaro Gattuso’s side face two matches that will decide whether Italy finally return — or miss out again.
Norway returns to the World Cup after 28 years with Erling Haaland (16 goals in qualifying) and Martin Ødegaard. Full preview: Group I fixtures vs France & Senegal, team analysis, and tournament predictions.
Brazil head into the 2026 World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti with a disciplined, flexible 4-3-3 built around Vinicius Jr and the Real Madrid core. In Group C with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti, the key questions are Neymar’s fitness, the false-nine attack, and whether this squad can finally deliver Brazil’s sixth star after a 24-year wait.
Erling Haaland heads into the 2026 World Cup as Norway’s biggest weapon and one of the tournament’s most dangerous strikers. After scoring 16 goals in 8 qualifying matches to fire Norway back to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, Haaland now faces a brutal Group I test against France and Senegal. This guide breaks down his records, playing style, Norway’s tactical system under Ståle Solbakken, key supporting players like Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Sørloth, and whether Haaland can turn Norway into a genuine knockout-stage threat.