Analyzing World Cup allocation

The knockout stage kicks off with a Round of 32. We're looking at increased spots for various regions like Africa, Asia, and so on, plus an intercontinental playoff for the last two spots. For the 2026 World Cup, there's a total of 48 teams with allocated spots: AFC 8, CAF 9, CONCACAF 6 (including 3 hosts), CONMEBOL 6, OFC 1, and UEFA 16, plus 2 from playoffs. I need to clarify: hosts occupy slots within their confederation, not extra.Clarifying World Cup slots

So, for the World Cup, it looks like there will be 46 direct qualification slots, plus 2 from playoffs, and hosts included in confederation quotas, leading to a total of 48 teams. It's a bit complex, so perhaps I should simplify it. I could mention the increase in teams from 32 to 48 for more representation, but also discuss potential downsides such as diluted quality and player workload. I should definitely ask if the user wants an explainer or infographic about the schedule!Preparing Chinese response

I'm considering if I should respond in Chinese. It seems appropriate since the user might prefer it that way. I'll confirm the quote and context about the 2026 World Cup: "如果你指的是2026世界杯，FIFA已确定新赛制：48队、12组×4、32强淘汰赛."

I'll highlight why the new format could be popular, like more tickets for various confederations and early knockout matches. I can also mention the potential for surprises from increased qualification chances for third-placed teams.

Lastly, I should offer next steps: would the user like a clear layout of rules, groupings, or the impact on a certain team?