The FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States of America (USA), is rapidly taking shape as nations from every corner of the globe lock in their places for football’s grandest stage.
Featuring an expanded 48-team format that promises even greater global representation, the 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, and most of the qualified nations have already been confirmed – a mix of seasoned powerhouses, breakthrough contenders and compelling underdogs.
In fact, following the conclusion of the November international break, just six of 48 places remain up for grabs, with those remaining places set to be filled by the UEFA and inter-confederation play-offs that take place in March.
Who has already qualified?
CONCACAF have seen their qualified nations already double in comparison to the World Cup 2022, with six nations having confirmed their qualification to the 2026 tournament.
The USA, Mexico and Canada were all given automatic qualification due to serving as the host nations, while Panama will return to the world’s biggest stage for the first time since 2018.
Those four sides will be joined by Haiti, who make their first appearance since 1974, and Curacao, who have amazingly secured qualification to their first-ever World Cup competition – becoming the smallest-ever nation to do so with a population of just 150,000.
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AFC have also seen their qualified places rise from four to at least eight teams, with Japan, Iran, Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Qatar all returning from the 2022 World Cup, while Jordan and Uzbekistan will make their debut appearances at the tournament.
Following the same trend, CAF’s places have risen from five to at least nine sides, including Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal all returning from the 2022 World Cup.
Elsewhere, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa and the Ivory Coast all return having missed out on the most recent World Cup competitions, while Cape Verde will make their first-ever appearance at a World Cup tournament.
CONMEBOL will be represented by defending champions Argentina, who will have their eye on lifting back-to-back trophies in 2026, as well as Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay.
OFC has just one team guaranteed to make the 2026 World Cup, with New Zealand set to return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2010.
Finally, UEFA have had 12 of their 16 representatives already confirmed, with England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Scotland all set to appear.
That leaves just six places remaining for teams to book their place at the 2026 tournament, and those spots will be competed for during the UEFA playoffs and Inter-continental playoffs in March 2026.
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by ohakwe young
in that vital 4-0 win, picking up two superb assists, and the winger will be relied upon to make a creative impact once again against Gabon.