But the group stage won't be any longer - they're still groups of 4, so each team still plays three group games. However there might be more "pulling away" in

But the group stage won't be any longer - they're still groups of 4, so each team still plays three group games. However there might be more "pulling away" in a 48-team World Cup than in a 32-team World Cup just because there will be weaker teams in those groups for the strongest teams to beat up on.