Expanding the tournament from 32 to 48 teams means there will be 24 additional matches, giving a total of 104 games across 16 venues.
The tournament will take the format of 12 groups of four teams, with the top two teams as well as the eight best third-placed teams.
From there, the competition takes place in a straight knock-out format, with the finalists playing eight games instead of the previous seven.
FIFA says the match schedule, which will not be completed until the qualification process ends, is designed to limit travel for teams.
The full draw for the tournament is expected to take place in late 2025.
Group fixtures are designed to avoid cross-coast travel for teams, who will also be able to select from team bases in their group’s area.
The tournament’s 16 host cities are: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York–New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. ,