48 teams, 12 groups of four, eight best third-placed qualifiers and a brand-new round of 32 — the expanded format explained simply.
FormatEight of twelve third-placed teams go through in 2026. How the ranking works — and why, in this format, every single goal counts.
TacticsHow to read the numbers, what each shape is good and bad at, and why a formation is only ever half the story.
The rulesThe "two things must both be true" test, the moment that matters, and the myths to drop — offside in plain English.
The rulesIt only reviews four things, and only for a "clear and obvious error." Here's how VAR actually works — and why we still argue.
The rulesWhat happens when a knockout match is level after 90 minutes — extra time, sudden death, and why shoot-outs are such agony.
StrategyWhy you shouldn't pick favourites early, how to plan picks ahead, and the traps — draws included — that knock most people out.
VenuesFrom Mexico City's altitude to the roofed domes of Texas: the 16 host cities, and how heat, humidity and elevation shape matches.