48 teams vs. 32 teams
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams, up from 32, creating more games, more ticket sales, and more broadcast hours — and more revenue for FIFA.
Where this was said
Podcast Promo and World Cup Setup
At 22:18 · chapter starts 21:05
A brief mid-episode interlude: Ryan Knutson promotes other Journal sports episodes — sports gambling, professional cycling — before recapping the key facts of the 2026 World Cup: three host countries (US, Mexico, Canada), 48 teams instead of 32, more games than ever, more broadcast hours, more ad inventory, and more revenue for FIFA.
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