The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expanding to a 48-team format, creating more opportunities for nations worldwide to compete on the global stage. Qualification pathways are well underway across all six FIFA confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe).
Qualified Teams So Far
As of June 9, 2025, the following teams have secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup:
AFC (Asia)
The AFC has been allocated eight direct qualifying slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot. The qualification process involves five rounds, also serving as qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Japan, Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Jordan have already secured their places through the third round. Australia is on the verge of qualification.
CAF (Africa)
The CAF has nine direct qualifying slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot. Teams are drawn into nine groups of six, with the winner of each group directly qualifying for the World Cup. The four best group runners-up will participate in play-offs to determine which team advances to the inter-confederation play-offs. The first six matchdays are in the books, with qualification resuming in September 2025. Some of the teams leading their groups include Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa.
CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean)
With Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically qualified as hosts, CONCACAF has three direct slots and two inter-confederation play-off slots available. The second round of CONCACAF qualifying is currently underway. Group winners and runners-up will progress to the third round, where they will be divided into three groups of four teams. The three group winners will qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The best two runners-up will represent Concacaf in the FIFA Play-off Tournament. Honduras and Costa Rica have advanced to the Final Round. Jamaica and El Salvador have also made progress.
CONMEBOL (South America)
CONMEBOL has six direct slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot. Argentina has already qualified. The qualification structure remains the same as in previous editions, wherein each team plays each other team twice in a home-and-away round-robin format. Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia are in contention to qualify.
OFC (Oceania)
The OFC has one direct qualifying slot and one inter-confederation play-off slot. New Zealand secured the direct qualifying spot by overcoming New Caledonia. New Caledonia will compete in the inter-confederation playoffs.
UEFA (Europe)
UEFA has been allocated 16 qualifying slots. The European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are scheduled to run from March 2025 until the play-offs in March 2026. The 12 group winners qualify directly for the World Cup; the four remaining berths are determined by play-offs involving the 12 group runners-up and four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. Qualifying started in March 2025.
Inter-confederation play-offs
The inter-confederation play-offs will feature six teams fighting for the final two spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will involve two teams from CONCACAF and one team apiece from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC.
The road to the 2026 World Cup is ongoing, with many teams still vying for a place in the tournament.
