2026 World Cup Qualifiers Update
Eighteen of the 48 spots for the 2026 World Cup have been secured, with Tunisia becoming the latest team to qualify.
Tunisia earned their place on September 8 by defeating Equatorial Guinea 1-0, and more teams are expected to qualify in the coming days.
The joint-hosts—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—automatically qualify for the tournament.
From Asia, Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, and Uzbekistan have already secured their spots.
New Zealand has claimed Oceania's sole direct qualification spot.
Tunisia joins Morocco as the two African teams confirmed to have qualified so far.
In South America, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia have guaranteed their places in the tournament.
Uzbekistan and Jordan will make their World Cup finals debuts.
Teams Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States.
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan.
Oceania: New Zealand.
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia.
Africa: Morocco, Tunisia.
How Does World Cup Qualifying Work?
FIFA's six confederations utilize different qualifying methods to determine which nations from each continent will participate in the World Cup.
Currently, Oceania is the only continent that has completed its direct qualification process for next year's tournament.
Of the 48 teams participating in the World Cup, three spots are reserved for the host nations, while 43 are earned through direct qualification from the six confederations. The remaining two spots will be decided through intercontinental play-offs.
South America
Qualifying spots: Six, plus one in intercontinental play-offs.
Teams qualified: Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia.
The South American qualifying process involves all 10 teams playing 18 matches each, beginning in September 2023. The top six teams will qualify for the World Cup, while the seventh-place team will enter the intercontinental play-offs.
Asia
Qualifying spots: Eight, plus one in intercontinental play-offs.
Teams qualified: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia.
Asian qualifying commenced in October 2023, with lower-ranked teams participating initially. In the third round, the top two teams from three groups automatically qualified.
Africa
Qualifying spots: Nine, plus one in intercontinental play-offs.
Teams qualified: Morocco, Tunisia.
The African qualifying process features nine groups, each comprising six teams, starting in November 2023. The top team from each group advances automatically, with Morocco and Tunisia being the first to secure their places.
North, Central American and Caribbean
Qualifying spots: Six (including three hosts), plus two in intercontinental play-offs.
Teams qualified: None through qualifying; USA, Canada, and Mexico are automatic hosts.
The CONCACAF qualifying format is distinct, with the three largest teams qualifying as hosts, leaving many spots available for other teams. Twelve teams are competing in the third round of qualifying, which began this week.
Europe
Qualifying spots: 16.
Teams qualified: None.
Europe's qualifying consists of 12 groups, with the winners of each group qualifying for the World Cup. The 12 runners-up will enter play-offs alongside the four best-ranked UEFA Nations League group winners that have not already qualified, competing for four additional spots.
Oceania
Qualifying spots: One, plus one nation in intercontinental play-offs.
Teams qualified: New Zealand.
The Oceania qualifying round has concluded, with New Zealand defeating New Caledonia 3-0 in the final to secure their spot in the World Cup. New Caledonia will compete in the intercontinental play-offs in March 2026, alongside teams from Africa, Asia, South America, and North America, with two out of six teams advancing.
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