2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Nations Battle for Historic 48-Team Tournament Spots
A New Era in World Cup Qualification
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is intensifying as teams across the globe compete for places in what will be a historic 48-team tournament, expanded from the previous total of 32 teams.
European Campaign
A total of 16 UEFA nations will qualify for the World Cup finals in North America. The European qualifiers, which kicked off in March 2025, saw teams drawn into 12 groups of four and five teams during the December 2024 draw in Zurich.
Teams are competing in traditional home-and-away matches, with all groups set to conclude in November 2025. The 12 group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the remaining four berths will be determined through play-offs involving the group runners-up.
South American Progress
In the CONMEBOL region, reigning World Cup champions Argentina have already secured their spot. The qualification process has been granted six direct slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot for South American teams.
Asian and African Campaigns
The Asian qualifiers are currently in the third round, with teams competing for eight direct spots and one intercontinental playoff berth. Meanwhile, Africa’s qualification process features nine groups, with the group winners qualifying directly and the four best runners-up entering playoffs for a chance at an intercontinental playoff spot.
Historic Changes and Tournament Details
In a historic first, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament in which all six confederations have at least one guaranteed berth. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be hosted across 16 cities in three North American countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The final draw for the tournament will take place in December 2025 at a location to be determined in the United States. As the qualification process continues, several nations have already secured their places, while others remain locked in intense competition for the remaining spots.
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