The countdown to the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup has begun, with more teams securing their places as qualifying matches advance. This edition expands to 48 teams from the previous 32, which had been used since 1998. The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, starting June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and wrapping up on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York City.

Qualification Breakdown

With the expanded tournament format, UEFA is guaranteed 16 slots, while CAF will have nine, and AFC will secure eight. Additionally, there will be a minimum of six each from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, with OFC receiving its first guaranteed slot. Two remaining spots will be decided in intercontinental playoffs.

Three teams made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time: Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde. The latter, with a population of 524,877, is the second smallest nation to ever qualify, following Iceland, which qualified in 2018 with 350,000 residents.

Already Qualified for the 2026 World Cup

• Hosts:

  • United States
  • Mexico
  • Canada

• AFC Qualifiers:

  • Iran
  • Uzbekistan
  • South Korea
  • Jordan
  • Australia
  • Japan
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia

• OFC Qualifier:

  • New Zealand

• CONMEBOL Qualifiers:

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Ecuador
  • Paraguay
  • Uruguay

• CAF Qualifiers:

  • Morocco
  • Egypt
  • Tunisia
  • Ghana
  • Cape Verde
  • Algeria
  • South Africa
  • Senegal
  • Ivory Coast

• UEFA Qualifiers:

  • England

Uncertainties in UEFA Qualification

Teams like England are securing their spots as group winners in the qualifying rounds, while second-placed teams will contest a playoff phase along with the four best UEFA Nations League group winners. The playoffs will consist of 16 teams competing in knockout rounds leading to a final.

Challenges for Nigeria

In the CAF qualifiers, powerhouse teams like South Africa and Cape Verde winning their respective groups might send Nigeria and Cameroon into the playoff rounds. Only the four best second-placed teams will advance.

Future of Qualification

The final World Cup participant teams will be finalized in March 2026, including participants from various confederations facing off in intercontinental playoffs.

Upcoming World Cup Draw

On December 5, the groups will be drawn, giving teams an idea of their opponents as placeholders for yet-to-be-determined qualifiers are used.