The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup had 48 teams, helping delay the start of the 2026–27 Premier League season.
The Premier League began on 21 August 2026, one week later than usual. The change accommodated the expanded World Cup, whose final was scheduled for 19 July 2026.
The 2026 tournament was the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, increasing the number of matches and extending the competition compared with the 32-team format used from 1998 through 2022. It was hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The domestic calendar was adjusted to provide 89 clear days from the end of the 2025–26 Premier League season and 33 days from the World Cup final. That planning explains why the opening match took place in late August.