The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 participating countries, making more places than ever available for each continental federation. While some zones have almost completed their qualifications, the battle in Europe is still in full swing.
The draw for the group stage of the global football battle will take place in Washington on December 5. Argentina is the defending champion.
England has won a World Cup ticket, Israel is missing from the tournament after defeat in Italy
Europe
Available tickets: 12 directly + 4 via our own play-offs
Already posted: England
In Europe, only England is assured of participation. The qualification has twelve groups: the group winners go directly to the World Cup, while the second places, together with four Nations League winners, compete for the last four tickets via play-offs. The group stage ends in November 2025, with the play-offs following in March 2026.
The Dutch team is as good as qualified for the World Cup. © ANP/HH
South America
Available tickets: 6 direct + 1 jump-off ticket
Already posted: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia & Paraguay
The South American qualifying went without any major surprises. World champion Argentina qualified first, followed by Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay. Brazil had a harder time, but still made it. Bolivia can still hope to finish seventh through the intercontinental play-offs.
National coach Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil had a more difficult time, but ultimately qualified for next year’s World Cup. © Getty Images
Cape Verde internationals dance through the night after World Cup stunt: ‘We hardly slept, but that’s okay after an evening like that’
Africa
Available tickets: 9 direct + 1 jump-off ticket
Already posted: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, South Africa, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast & Senegal
Africa receives nine direct tickets for the World Cup. The group winners qualify automatically, while the four best runners-up get an extra chance through a play-off round. Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast have already secured their participation. Cape Verde also secured its first participation in the World Cup.
The Dutch-tinged Cape Verde is also present at the World Cup. © Getty Images
Asia
Available places: 8 direct + 1 jump-off ticket
Already posted: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar & Australia
In Asia, Japan and Iran were the first to win their World Cup ticket. Uzbekistan and Jordan also wrote history with their first ever qualification. The familiar names South Korea and Australia complete the list. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also qualified.
Joy among the Jordan fans. The Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever in June – just like Uzbekistan.
North and Central America
Available places: 6 directly (3 of which as host country) + 2 jump-off tickets
Already posted: United States, Canada & Mexico (host countries)
The three host countries USA, Canada and Mexico are automatically placed. In the rest of the region, countries such as Curaçao (national coach Dick Advocaat), Suriname (national coach Stanley Menzo), Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica and Honduras for the other three direct places. Numbers four and five in the final rankings get a second chance via the intercontinental play-offs.
Oceania
Available places: 1 direct + 1 jump-off ticket
Already posted: New Zealand
As expected, New Zealand again grabs the only direct ticket for Oceania. New Caledonia gets another chance through the intercontinental play-offs. If the latter country were to succeed in this, it would be quite a stunt. North Caledonia is barely number 150 in the FIFA rankings, but is barely two matches away from a historic World Cup participation.
Chris Wood’s New Zealand will definitely be there soon. © Getty Images
How do the intercontinental play-offs work?
The final two World Cup places will be distributed through the intercontinental play-offs, with six participating countries: one from each continent (Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania) and two from North and Central America. The two highest ranked countries receive a bye; the other four play semi-finals. The winners will then compete against the top two for the last World Cup tickets.
As mentioned earlier, Europe has its own play-offs to distribute the remaining four tickets.