FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

📅Updated: June 2025

⚽13 Teams Qualified

🌍6 Confederations

The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers are underway across all confederations, with 13 teams already securing their spots in the expanded 48-team tournament. Track the latest qualification results and standings as nations compete for footballs most prestigious prize.

Tournament Overview

48Total Teams

13Qualified

3Host Nations

35Spots Remaining

Qualified Teams

The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Here are the teams that have secured their qualification:

Host Nations (Automatic Qualification)

🇺🇸

United States

Co-host nation with automatic qualification
🇲🇽

Mexico

Historic third-time World Cup host
🇨🇦

Canada

First time hosting men’s World Cup

CONMEBOL (South America)

Three South American powerhouses have already secured qualification:

🇦🇷

Argentina

Defending world champions
🇧🇷

Brazil

Five-time winners, perfect qualification record
🇪🇨

Ecuador

Qualified despite 3-point penalty

AFC (Asia)

Six Asian teams have secured their spots, including two historic first-time qualifiers:

🇯🇵

Japan

First team worldwide to qualify (excluding hosts)
🇮🇷

Iran

Fourth consecutive World Cup appearance
🇰🇷

South Korea

Historic 11th consecutive qualification
🇯🇴

Jordan

First-ever World Cup qualification
🇺🇿

Uzbekistan

Historic debut, first Central Asian nation
🇦🇺

Australia

Sixth consecutive qualification

OFC (Oceania)

🇳🇿

New Zealand

First World Cup since 2010

Qualification Structure

The qualification process varies across confederations, reflecting the global nature of football:

Europe (UEFA)

54 teams compete for 16 spots through 12 groups. Group winners qualify directly, while runners-up enter playoffs.

Africa (CAF)

54 teams compete for 9 direct spots in nine groups of six teams each. Group winners advance directly.

Asia (AFC)

The final round features three groups of six teams, with the top two from each group qualifying automatically.

Key Upcoming Dates

European Qualifiers: Continuing through November 2025, playoffs in March 2026
African Qualifiers: Group stage concluding in October 2025
CONCACAF Qualifiers: Third round ongoing for remaining spots
Intercontinental Playoffs: March 2026 for final qualification spots

🏆 Notable Achievements

Jordan’s historic first World Cup qualification
Uzbekistan becomes first Central Asian nation to qualify
New Zealand returns after 16-year absence
South Korea achieves record 11th consecutive qualification

Tournament Format

The expanded 48-team format brings significant changes:

16 groups of three teams each in the group stage
Increased representation from all confederations
More opportunities for smaller nations to compete

With 35 spots still available, the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers continue to provide excitement across all confederations. The expanded format ensures the most diverse World Cup in history.

Follow the latest updates as more teams secure their places in what promises to be an unforgettable tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.