The world cup 2026 race is gaining momentum and the UEFA world cup qualifiers are only one among a global tug of war to secure a place in the biggest soccer championship. Egypt has just joined the club of countries that has already grabbed their ticket becoming the latest among the other earlier qualifiers as international qualifying matches continues.
Already in the books: hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico, 21 nations, including first-time contestants Jordan and Uzbekistan, are secure in the enlarged 48-team world cup. Although the qualifiers have already been completed in certain areas, the European teams have lots to do before they win one of the 16 slots they have.
Americas (CONCACAF)
Spots: Six (invited guests), and two in intercontinental play-offs.
Qualified teams USA, Canada, Mexico (as hosts).
There are six vacancies to fill with the three co-hosts automatically through. The qualifying format comprises of six groups comprising of five teams where the best two teams in each group go through to a third round. That round has three four-player groups with winners proceeding directly and the two with the highest rankings proceed to intercontinental play-offs.
Europe (UEFA)
Spots available: 16
Teams qualified: None yet
European teams have yet to qualify so there is still much drama to come. The first round of qualifiers will include twelve groups: group winners will proceed to the next round, second-place teams and the top four Nations League group winners who have not qualified will play-offs to fill out the last four vacancies. The final of group stages is at the end of November, and the final at the play-offs will be in March 2026.
South America (CONMEBOL)
Available spots: 6, and 1 in intercontinental play-offs.
Qualified teams Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay.
Arguably the world champions Argentina were the first to secure their place, with Ecuador coming second. Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay as well as Paraguay progressed and Bolivia, who came out seventh, will be included in the intercontinental play-offs.
Africa (CAF)
Available spots: Nine, and one in intercontinental play-offs.
Qualified teams: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt.
African qualification is a qualification with 9 groups of six teams. The group winners are automatically guaranteed a place whereas the top four runners-up proceed to play-off. Cape Verde needs only one victory to become the first nation to qualify to the world cup, and CAF play-off winners will advance to the intercontinental play-offs.
Asia (AFC)
Places per tournament: Eight, and one in intercontinental play-offs.
Qualified teams: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia.
The first Asian countries to qualify were Japan and Iran, with Uzbekistan, Jordan, South Korea and Australia also booked in. Teams that finish in third and fourth place as well as Saudi Arabia and Qatar move to a mini round-robin fourth round, and their hopes of qualifying to the World Cup.
Oceania (OFC)
Places: One, and one in intercontinental play-offs.
Teams qualified: New Zealand
New Zealand gains an automatic direct place to Oceania, which leaves New Caledonia in the intercontinental play-offs which gives the country another opportunity.
Intercontinental Play-Offs
The remaining two World Cup places will be determined in June 2026 by means of play-offs involving six teams of intercontinental matches. It will have one team playing in AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC, and two teams in CONCACAF. FIFA ranking seeds the teams and the top two have a bye as the other four are placed in semi-finals. The victors in those matches will earn the final World Cup slots and this will complete the 48-player field before kick-off on June 11.
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