Football Football Factbox: Implications of 48-team World Cup Some of the figures behind the new-look format of the 48-team World Cup. AFP Zurich 10 January, 2017 22:24 IST Gianni Infantino addresses a news conference after a FIFA Council in Zurich on Tuesday. - Reuters AFP Zurich 10 January, 2017 22:24 IST The FIFA's ruling council on Tuesday unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup from >32 to 48 teams in 2026. Here AFP Sports looks at some of the figures behind the new-look format. — 48 teams: 16 groups of three — 32-team knock-out round, increasing number of games from 64 to 80 but within the same 32-day schedule in 12 stadia — Two teams from each group advance to a 32-nation knock-out round — If a team progresses to the final in 2026, they will have played seven matches, the same number as a 32-team World Cup — With 48 teams with squads of 23 — 1,104 players will head to the 2026 event — A confidential FIFA report seen by AFP projects a cash boost of $640 million (605 million euros) above projected revenues for next year's finals in Russia. Read more stories on Football. For more updates, follow Sportstar on :