All football regions will see their World Cup slots increased when the tournament expands to 48 teams in 2026, with Africa the biggest winner, according to FIFA recommendations released Thursday. The plan to expand the competition beyond its current 32-team format, which is subject to approval at FIFA's May Congress in Bahrain, guarantees Africa nine places, marking an increase of four.
Asia, currently guaranteed between four and five World Cup entries, will get eight slots, while European confederation UEFA gets a boost from 13 to 16. The confederation for North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) will have six places, above its current level of between three and four.
South America (CONMEBOL), which now has between four and five slots, will get six, according to the recommendations from FIFA's ruling council. Oceana, which has not been guaranteed an entry in past World Cups, will be assured one spot.
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