How Many Teams Are in Football? World Cup & League Sizes

By Sarah Miller · December 13, 2031

There are 32 teams in the FIFA World Cup, the premier international football tournament, which determines the world champion every four years. Domestic leagues vary widely—for example, England's Premier League has 20 teams, while Germany's Bundesliga also features 18 clubs per season.

Understanding Football Team Structures

Football, known as soccer in some countries, operates under different team structures depending on the competition and region. The number of teams involved can vary significantly between international tournaments and domestic leagues. Understanding these variations helps fans and analysts better appreciate the sport's global organization.

Major International Tournaments

FIFA World Cup: Features 32 national teams (expanding to 48 in 2026).
UEFA European Championship: Includes 24 national teams.
Copa América: Typically involves 10 South American nations plus invited guests.
Africa Cup of Nations: Currently includes 24 national teams.
CONCACAF Gold Cup: Usually features 16 teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Premier Domestic Leagues

Different countries maintain unique league formats with varying numbers of participating clubs. Most top-tier leagues use a round-robin format where each team plays every other team twice.

England: Premier League – 20 teams
Spain: La Liga – 20 teams
Germany: Bundesliga – 18 teams
Italy: Serie A – 20 teams
France: Ligue 1 – 18 teams (as of 2023/24 season)

Global Comparison of Top Football Leagues

League	Country	Number of Teams	Season Format	Current Champions (2024)
Premier League	England	20	Double Round-Robin	Manchester City
Bundesliga	Germany	18	Double Round-Robin	Bayer Leverkusen
La Liga	Spain	20	Double Round-Robin	Real Madrid
Serie A	Italy	20	Double Round-Robin	Napoli
Ligue 1	France	18	Double Round-Robin	Paris Saint-Germain
Eredivisie	Netherlands	18	Double Round-Robin	PSV Eindhoven
Primeira Liga	Portugal	18	Double Round-Robin	Benfica

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that most top European leagues standardize between 18 and 20 teams. England, Spain, and Italy opt for 20-team leagues, increasing fixture volume and revenue potential. Germany, France, and the Netherlands prefer 18 teams, allowing for slightly shorter seasons and reduced player fatigue. This structural balance impacts competitive fairness, financial distribution, and athlete workload across continents.

Expansion Trends in International Football

FIFA has steadily increased the number of teams in its flagship tournament. The World Cup began with just 13 teams in 1930, expanded to 24 in 1982, then 32 in 1998. Starting in 2026, the tournament will include 48 teams, reflecting global growth and inclusivity goals.

Reasons for Expansion

Greater representation from Africa, Asia, and CONCACAF regions.
Increased broadcasting and sponsorship revenue.
Encouragement of football development in emerging nations.
More matchdays and commercial opportunities.

Common Questions About Football Teams

How many teams are in the FIFA World Cup?

As of 2022, there are 32 teams in the FIFA World Cup. However, the tournament will expand to 48 teams starting in 2026, featuring more nations from all confederations.

Why does the Premier League have 20 teams?

The Premier League uses a 20-team format to balance competitive integrity and scheduling feasibility. This structure allows for 38 matchweeks, ensuring sufficient revenue generation through broadcasting and ticket sales while maintaining a manageable fixture load.

Which major league has the fewest teams?

Among Europe's top five leagues, both the German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1 have 18 teams, making them the smallest in terms of club count. This reduces the total number of matches and helps manage player fatigue.

How many teams qualify from each continent for the World Cup?

Qualification slots are allocated by FIFA based on continental strength. As of 2026, the distribution will be: UEFA (Europe) – 16, AFC (Asia) – 8, CAF (Africa) – 9, CONMEBOL (South America) – 6, CONCACAF (North/Central America) – 6, OFC (Oceania) – 1, with two additional intercontinental playoff spots.

Do all football leagues have the same number of teams?

No, football leagues vary in size based on country, infrastructure, and organizational decisions. While many elite leagues have 18 or 20 teams, lower divisions and regional leagues may have more or fewer participants depending on local conditions.