2026 FIFA World Cup: Confirmed Qualifiers and the Road Ahead

Eighteen of the 48 spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are now sealed, with several teams on the brink of historic first-time appearances.

Cape Verde can clinch their inaugural group-stage berth with a win in one of their final two qualifiers, potentially becoming the second-smallest nation by population to reach the tournament after Iceland in 2018. New Caledonia could join them via the inter-confederation play-offs, contending with five other teams including Bolivia.

Hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States qualified automatically. From Asia, Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan have secured places, while New Zealand claimed Oceania’s direct slot. In Africa, Morocco and Tunisia lead nine groups vying for qualification. South America’s top six—Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia—have all booked their places.

Confirmed Qualifiers by Region

• Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
• Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan
• Oceania: New Zealand
• Africa: Morocco, Tunisia
• South America: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia

Remaining Qualification Pathways

Of the 48 tournament berths, three are automatic for hosts, 43 are claimed through continental qualifiers, and two will be decided via March 2026 intercontinental play-offs.

Asia (8 places + 1 play-off)

With six teams already through, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia contest the final round in October for two direct spots and one play-off place.

Africa (9 places + 1 play-off)

Nine group winners will qualify directly. Morocco and Tunisia are the first to secure their berths, while Egypt, DR Congo, South Africa, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Ghana lead their groups into October’s decisive matches.

CONCACAF (6 places + 2 play-offs)

With hosts exempt, 12 teams fight in a third round that began this month. Group winners advance to the World Cup; the two best runners-up enter the intercontinental play-offs.

Europe (16 places)

Twelve group winners qualify directly. The 12 runners-up join four top Nations League teams in March 2026 play-offs for the final four slots. Slovakia, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, North Macedonia, England and Croatia top their groups.

Oceania (1 place + 1 play-off)

New Zealand defeated New Caledonia 3-0 to secure Oceania’s direct slot. New Caledonia will compete in the intercontinental play-offs in March.

With nearly 40% of the expanded World Cup field confirmed, the final qualification rounds will deliver several historic first-time appearances and remain fiercely contested across all continents.

This article was reported by BBC Sport.

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