2026 FIFA World Cup: Who Has Qualified? Who Can Make It?

Current Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a landmark event, expanding to 48 teams for the first time. As of today, several teams have already secured their spots, while others are still battling through qualifiers. Here’s a look at who has qualified and who is still in the running.

Confirmed Teams

As of October 2023, the following teams have secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• United States – As one of the host nations, the U.S. automatically qualifies.
• Canada – Another host nation, Canada is also guaranteed a spot.
• Mexico – The third host nation, Mexico, completes the trio of automatic qualifiers.

Teams on the Verge of Qualification

Several teams are on the brink of qualification, having performed well in their respective confederation tournaments. Here’s a breakdown:

Europe

European teams are competing fiercely in the UEFA qualifiers. As of now, traditional powerhouses like Germany and France are leading their groups and are expected to qualify.

South America

In CONMEBOL, Brazil and Argentina are showing strong performances, with both teams likely to secure their spots soon.

Africa

The CAF qualifiers are underway, with teams like Senegal and Morocco showing promise. These teams have a strong chance of making it to the World Cup.

Potential Surprise Entrants

While many teams are expected to qualify based on historical performance, the expanded format opens the door for surprise entrants. Here are some teams that could make a surprising entry:

Asia

Asian teams like Japan and South Korea are traditionally strong, but emerging teams such as Uzbekistan and Qatar could capitalize on the expanded slots.

North America

Beyond the host nations, teams like Costa Rica and Panama are in contention, aiming to leverage their recent performances to secure a spot.

Qualification Process

The qualification process varies by confederation, with each region having its own tournament structure. Here’s a brief overview:

UEFA

European teams compete in group stages, with the top teams from each group qualifying directly. Additional teams may qualify through playoff rounds.

CONMEBOL

South American teams play in a round-robin format, with the top teams securing direct qualification.

CAF

African teams compete in a series of knockout rounds, with the winners advancing to the World Cup.

Upcoming Matches and Key Dates

As the qualification process continues, several key matches are scheduled that could determine the fate of many teams. Fans should keep an eye on these dates:

These matches are crucial for teams looking to secure their spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As the qualification process unfolds, fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating the final list of participants.