# How 48 teams reshaped the World Cup with new faces and uneven competition

The expanded 48-team World Cup introduced more nations but highlighted disparities in class and produced uneven drama. The tournament's larger format brought fresh stories but also exposed structural flaws. This shift marks a significant change in global football's biggest event.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Sports
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/22/how-48-teams-changed-the-world-cup) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:26:12 GMT