FIFA has agreed to go ahead with proposals for its new format for an expanded World Cup.
The football showpiece will be expanded for the 2026 edition, with 48 teams now involved. They will be split into 16 groups of three, with top two teams from each group will then advance to a 32-team knockout stage.
Looking at the new allocations, the North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation, CONCACAF goes from 3 ½ to six as does South America. Europe gets an extra three places to get the total to 16.
Africa adds four to reach 9. Asia almost doubles their quota to 8, while Oceania gets one full spot.
The hosts are also given a place, and will count as part of its continental allotment. In the event that two countries are co-hosting, the number of host countries to qualify automatically would be decided by the FIFA Council.
The two remaining places will be decided by a six-team playoff tournament, involving a team from each continent except UEFA, and an extra one from the continent of the host country.
In summary:
Confederation of African (CAF) will have 9 direct slots, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will have 8 direct slots. North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) and South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) will both have 6 direct slots. Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) will have 1 slot whereas Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) will have 16 slots.
