The qualification phases for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (USA, Canada, Mexico) have concluded across all continents, confirming the 42 teams that have secured direct tickets to the finals and the 22 teams proceeding to the play-offs. The official World Cup draw is set for December 6th at 1:00 AM CET.

The host nations are joined by a strong contingent from Europe, with powerhouses like France, Portugal, and Germany all securing their spots. Newcomers include Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Curaçao.

Direct Qualifiers

Hosts: USA, Canada, Mexico

Europe (12): England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland

Africa (9): Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, South Africa, Cape Verde (Newcomer), Ghana

South America (6): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay

Asia (8): Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Uzbekistan (Newcomer), Jordan (Newcomer), Saudi Arabia, Qatar

CONCACAF (3): Panama, Haiti, Curaçao (Newcomer)

Oceania (1): New Zealand

The Play-off Showdown

Four additional spots will be decided by the European play-offs in March 2026, and two spots via the Intercontinental Play-offs.

European Play-offs (16 Teams)

The 16 teams are divided into four pots based on FIFA ranking and will compete in four single-elimination pathways:

Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine

Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia

Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo

Pot 4 (Nations League Path): Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland

(Pot 1 teams will host Pot 4 teams in the semi-finals, while Pot 2 teams host Pot 3 teams.)

Intercontinental Play-offs (6 Teams)

The six teams will compete for the final two World Cup spots in a mini-tournament held in Mexico. Seeded teams Iraq (Asia) and DR Congo (Africa) receive byes to the final, while the four unseeded teams—Bolivia (South America), Jamaica (CONCACAF), Suriname (CONCACAF), and New Caledonia (Oceania)—will play preliminary matches.