For your first World Cup
Scroll slowly: the chalk mascot tells you step by step. One idea at a time.
You've reached step 1 of 6.
Let's start
The World Cup is football's biggest party. It happens every four years, and this one is played in three countries at once: the USA, Mexico and Canada. Scroll slowly: I'll explain it step by step.
Idea 1
48 countries come from all over the world. It's the first World Cup with this many: before it was 32. Every team wants the same prize: the trophy.
How many teams play?
Idea 2
The 48 teams are split into 12 groups of 4 (from A to L). Inside each group, everyone plays everyone else once. That's how the World Cup begins.
How many teams in each group?
Idea 3
The top 2 from each group go through. And since there are 12 groups, the 8 best third-placed teams also go: the thirds with the most points. In total, 32 teams keep playing.
What are the "best thirds"?
Idea 4
The knockouts begin: lose and you go home. If it ends level, there's extra time (more minutes) and, if still tied, penalties. Round by round fewer remain: 16, 8, 4, 2…
If they tie in the knockouts, what happens?
Final
The two best teams reach the final. Whoever wins that last match lifts the trophy and is world champion. And now you know how the World Cup works!
48 teams, 12 groups, the best move on and, round by round, a champion is born. Want to play or learn more?
Everything here is real: this is genuinely how the 2026 World Cup works.