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You are here: Home / Soccer Fact Sheets / Nations qualified for the 2026 World Cup

Nations qualified for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with a record 48 teams competing. This page lists all nations that have officially qualified for the tournament, including those advancing through regional qualification competitions across Concacaf, CONMEBOL, UEFA, CAF, AFC, and OFC.

How Many Teams Qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

A 48-team field is the largest in tournament history, an increase from 32 teams in prior editions.

When Does Qualification End?

During the March 2026 window when the UEFA and Intercontinental playoffs will decide the remaining entrants. That’s of special interest for the United States, waiting to find out the last member of its World Cup group D with either Kosovo, Slovakia, Romania or Türkiye taking the final spot.

Last Updated: February 2026

NationDate they qualifiedHow they qualified
CanadaHost
MexicoHost
USAHost
Japan3/20/2025Won group C in AFC
New Zealand3/24/2025Won third round in OFC
Iran3/25/2025Won group A in AFC
Argentina3/25/20251st in CONMEBOL
Uzbekistan6/5/20252nd in group A in AFC
South Korea6/5/20251st in group B in AFC
Jordan6/5/20252nd in group B in AFC
Australia6/10/20252nd in group C in AFC
Brazil6/10/20255th in CONMEBOL
Ecuador6/10/20252nd in CONMEBOL
Uruguay9/4/20254th in CONMEBOL
Colombia9/4/20253rd in CONMEBOL
Paraguay9/4/20256th in CONMEBOL
Morocco9/5/20251st in group E in CAF
Tunisia9/8/20251st in group H in CAF
Egypt10/8/20231st in group A in CAF
Algeria10/9/20251st in group G in CAF
Ghana10/12/20251st in group I in CAF
Cape Verde10/13/20251st in group D in CAF
South Africa10/14/20251st in group C in CAF
Qatar10/14/20251st in group A fourth round in AFC
England10/14/20251st in group K UEFA
Saudi Arabia10/14/20251st in group B fourth round in AFC
Ivory Coast10/14/20251st in group F in CAF
Senegal10/14/20251st in group B in CAF
France11/13/20251st in group D UEFA
Croatia11/14/20251st in group L UEFA
Portugal11/16/20251st in group F UEFA
Norway11/16/20251st in group I UEFA
Germany11/17/20251st in group A UEFA
Netherlands11/17/20251st in group G UEFA
Belgium11/18/20251st in group J UEFA
Austria11/18/20251st in group H UEFA
Switzerland11/18/20251st in group B UEFA
Spain11/18/20251st in group E UEFA
Scotland11/18/20251st in group C UEFA
Panama11/18/20251st in group A Concacaf
Haiti11/18/20251st in group C Concacaf
Curacao11/18/20251st in group B Concacaf

The nations that will participate in the FIFA World Cup 26 Play-Off Tournament for two spots in the 2026 World Cup are Iraq (AFC), DR Congo (CAF), Jamaica (Concacaf), Suriname (Concacaf), Bolivia (CONMEBOL), and New Caledonia (OFC). The FIFA World Cup 26 Play-Off Tournament takes place in Mexico during the March 2026 international window with Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron and Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA hosting the games. For one of the two qualifying spots, New Caledonia will play Jamaica with the winner advancing to play DR Congo. For the other qualifying spot, it’s Bolivia vs Suriname with the winner advancing to play Iraq.

UEFA’s final four qualifying spots will also be decided during the March 2026 international window with 12 nations in their playoff round. In path A, it’s Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina with the winner playing the winner of Italy vs Northern Ireland for the World Cup spot. Path B has Ukraine vs Sweden and Poland vs Albania with the winners playing for the World Cup spot. Path C is Slovakia vs Kosovo and Turkey vs Romania with the winners advancing to play for the World Cup spot. Path D is the Czech Republic vs Ireland winner playing the winner of Denmark vs North Macedonia for the World Cup spot.

Nations Qualified for 2026 World Cup FAQs

How many nations will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 national teams, the most in tournament history.

Which nations have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

Teams that have secured qualification spots through their regional confederation competitions appear in the list above, updated as results are confirmed.

What confederations are represented at the 2026 World Cup?

All six FIFA confederations are represented: Concacaf, CONMEBOL, UEFA, CAF, AFC, and OFC.

Which confederation has the most teams qualified?

UEFA, with 16. A dozen qualified directly from the second round of UEFA World Cup qualifying with four more advancing through the playoffs in March 2026.

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