FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26™

The three countries jointly hosting the event are Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

The following countries have qualified for the AFC: Australia, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

The countries represented in CAF are Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

The South American football governing body, CONMEBOL, consists of six member nations: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

A land of breathtaking beauty and diverse landscapes, OFC is an enchanting destination that never fails to captivate visitors.

UEFA has chosen England as the host for the upcoming event.

Of the total 48 teams, 28 have qualified.

Qualified teams for the Play-Off Tournament

Bolivia and New Caledonia make up two of the six teams.

Spots for qualification

AFC: Eight automatic berths + one spot in the Play-Off Tournament

The CAF will be awarding nine direct spots and one additional place through the Play-Off Tournament.

Concacaf will allocate six direct spots and two places through the Play-Off Tournament.

The CONMEBOL tournament offers six direct spots and an additional Play-Off Tournament place.

One spot in the direct competition and a spot in the Play-Off Tournament.

The UEFA has allotted 16 direct spots.

The qualifications for FIFA World Cup 26 were determined by team performance.

The Great White North ( Canada)

Completing the trio of hosts, Canada will be making their first ever consecutive appearance in the tournament. The Maple Leafs’ previous visits to the competition were in 1986 and 2022, both resulting in unsuccessful group stage performances.

The country south of the United States. (Mexico)

In 2026, Mexico will once again be the host nation for the World Cup, marking their third time hosting the tournament. This makes them the country with the most World Cup hostings, with previous tournaments held in 1970 and 1986.

This will mark the 18th World Cup for the nation, with their strongest showings occurring on home turf as they made it to the quarter-finals in both ’70 and ’86.

The nation of America (USA)

As the host nation, USA has secured a spot in the upcoming World Cup for the second time in a row. They are determined to improve upon their previous Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2022.

The upcoming World Cup will mark the twelfth appearance for the States, and their second time hosting after USA ’94. Their most successful performance at the tournament was in 1930, when they reached the semi-finals.

Asian country known as Japan

The Samurai Blue breezed through their qualifying matches and secured a spot in the global showpiece. They claimed their ticket with three games remaining in the third round of the AFC preliminaries and are set to compete in their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance.

New Zealand

New Zealand secured their place at the World Cup with a 3-0 victory over New Caledonia in the OFC qualifying final. This marks their third appearance in the tournament, having previously qualified for both the 1982 and 2010 editions.

Iran

In a thrilling match on 25 March, Team Melli overcame their opponents Uzbekistan in a nail-biting 2-2 draw. This victory secured Iran’s spot in their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup tournament.

Argentina

The Latin American country boasts a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. From the vibrant city of Buenos Aires to the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls, Argentina offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Its diverse cuisine, passionate people, and lively music and dance scene make it a must-visit destination for travelers.

The current holders of the world title became the inaugural CONMEBOL representatives to advance, earning their place on 25 March thanks to Bolivia’s scoreless draw against Uruguay. This outcome ensured Argentina’s position in one of South America’s six automatic berths for the World Cup.

Central country in Asia(Uzbekistan)

On 5 June, Uzbekistan achieved their first-ever World Cup berth by securing a top-two spot in the third round of Asian qualifying.

The Republic of Korea

The Korea Republic secured their 11th consecutive spot in the World Cup after a commanding 2-0 win against a 10-man Iraq at Basra International Stadium on 5 June.

Jordan

On 5 June, Jordan achieved their first World Cup qualification by beating Oman 3-0 in Muscat while Iraq lost to Korea Republic.

Australia

The land down under is known for its unique wildlife, beautiful beaches, and vast, open landscapes. Its native animals, such as kangaroos and koalas, are adored by people around the world. It’s also a popular destination for surfers, with its famous waves and laid-back lifestyle.

On 10 June, Australia secured their spot at a sixth consecutive World Cup after defeating Saudi Arabia with a 2-1 comeback victory in Jeddah. This marked their first direct qualification since the 2014 campaign.

Ecuador

Securing a spot in the global finals with two games remaining, Ecuador’s goalless tie against Peru on 10 June in Lima marks their fifth qualification this century for La Tri.

Brazil

The country known for its vibrant culture, colorful festivals, and beautiful beaches.

On 10 June, under the guidance of new coach Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil secured a 1-0 victory against Paraguay, thus upholding their impressive streak of competing in every World Cup tournament.

Uruguay

This South American country is known for its beautiful landscapes, diverse culture, and rich history.

Under Marcelo Bielsa’s leadership, Uruguay has secured their fifth consecutive World Cup spot with a convincing 3-0 win over Peru on matchday 17.

Paraguay

Paraguay is a landlocked country located in south-central South America. It shares borders with Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.

After a decade, Paraguay will finally join the World Cup once again, having secured their place at next year’s event with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador at home on 4 September.

South American country (Colombia)

Following their absence from Qatar 2022, Colombia has returned to the World Cup arena with star player James Rodriguez at the helm, guiding his team to a commanding 3-0 victory over Bolivia on 4 September.

North African (Morocco)

During the recent Qatar 2022 tournament, the Atlas Lions of Africa gained recognition for their accomplishment. On 5 September, they secured their spot in the 2026 showpiece with a resounding 5-0 victory over Niger, making them the first team from Africa to achieve this feat.

Tunisia

The Carthage Eagles secured their spot at the global showpiece after triumphing in a nail-biting match against Equatorial Guinea in Malabo. In their first eight CAF qualifying matches, not one opponent was able to break through their defense.

Egypt

Following their absence from Qatar 2022, Egypt secured their spot in the international event with one game remaining by earning a 3-0 win against Djibouti. Star player Mohamed Salah played a key role as the Pharaohs dominated Group A with strong performances on both offense and defense throughout their qualifying journey.

Algeria

Located in the northern region of Africa, Algeria is a country with a diverse culture and history.

The Desert Foxes secured their spot in the World Cup for the first time since 2014 with a resounding 3-0 win against Somalia in their second-to-last Group G match. Led by Riyad Mahrez, the team dominated their first nine qualifiers, winning seven and tying one, guaranteeing their place in the tournament.

Ghana

Ghana’s upcoming World Cup appearance will be their fifth on football’s grandest platform, after making their debut at Germany 2006. Their goal is to better their performance from four years ago in Qatar, where they were unable to advance past the group stage. The team, known as the Black Stars, earned their spot in the tournament by defeating Comoros 1-0 on October 12th, securing first place in Group I.

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde, also known as Cape Verde, is a group of islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean.

After a tough challenge from Cameroon, the Blue Sharks have earned their spot at the global finals by coming out on top in Group D. Their 3-0 win against Eswatini solidified their qualification. With a population of only 500,000, Cabo Verde has joined the ranks of Iceland as the second-smallest country to make it to the World Cup, following their appearance at Russia 2018.

South Africa

South Africa is a diverse and beautiful country, with stunning landscapes and a rich cultural heritage.

On 14 October 2025, Bafana Bafana made their triumphant comeback to the World Cup after a 16-year hiatus. Their victory over Rwanda in the final day of Group C qualifying with a score of 3-0 secured their place ahead of Nigeria and Benin, guaranteeing them a spot in the tournament.

Qatar

The country of Qatar is a sovereign state located in Western Asia.

Akram Afif assisted both Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel in securing Qatar’s spot in World Cup 26. The hosting team, which was eliminated in the group stage of the previous tournament, earned their place in North America with a 2-1 win against United Arab Emirates during the fourth round on October 14th.

England

The English team secured their spot at the upcoming World Cup, extending their streak to eight consecutive appearances. Thanks to an effortless performance in the UEFA preliminaries under Thomas Tuchel’s guidance, they qualified with two matches still remaining. Their place was solidified with a resounding 5-0 win against Latvia in Riga on October 14th, marking their return to the international stage. This will be their first time competing on American soil since missing out on USA 1994.

Senegal

Senegal, known for its vibrant culture and beautiful landscape, exudes a strong sense of pride in its heritage. This West African country has a rich history and customs that are deeply ingrained in its people’s daily lives. From traditional music and dance to mouth-watering cuisine, Senegal offers a sensory experience like no other.

The Lions of Teranga earned their spot in the showpiece by finishing at the top of Group B in the African preliminaries. Their 4-0 win over Mauritania on 14 October solidified their first place position, beating out Congo DR. This will mark their fourth appearance in the World Cup.

Côte d’Ivoire

On 14 October, the Elephants solidified their spot in the World Cup by defeating Kenya 3-0 in their last Group F match. This win secured their position as leaders of the section, surpassing Gabon. It will mark Côte d’Ivoire’s first return to the global finals since 2014.

Saudi Arabia

After securing a spot in their third consecutive World Cup, Saudi Arabia drew with Iraq on October 14. The team, known for their historic upset against Argentina during Qatar 2022, will now strive to match and surpass their best performance from USA 1994, where they made it to the round of 16.