A 48 team World Cup in 2026 - How has the World Cup format changed since 1930?

1974 World Cup Final. Munich, West Germany. 7th July, 1974. West Germany 2 v Holland 1. West Germany's Gerd Muller, scorer of the winning goal, waves to the crowd as the team parade the trophy on a lap of honour after the match.

1974- WEST GERMANY - 16 TEAMS - 38 MATCHES:

The 1974 West Germany World Cup saw yet another dramatic change. The first part of the tournament followed suit of the changes made for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, however FIFA tampered with the format of the second phase.

Goal difference was introduced to separate countries on the same number of points within the first group stage. With Group Two having three teams each finishing on four points, the associations with the two highest goal differences went through to the next stage.

The second phase consisted of two more groups, made up of four teams; two group winners and two second placed teams each. Goal difference was now used to separate countries on the same number of points, with Group Two having three teams each finishing on four points, with the two highest goal differences going into the next group stage.

Each country would play every other nation in their group, with the winner of the group going through to the final whilst second place from each of these final groups would battle it out for the third-place spot.

Side-note: The 1978 World Cup also followed this format, however penalties were introduced as a tie-breaker for the final and third place play-off, despite them not being necessary.