World champions Argentina open qualifying for the finals of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with a game against Ecuador.
World champions Argentina open their qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico on Thursday (September 7th, 2023) with the game against Ecuador.
For the first time, 48 instead of the previous 32 teams will take part in the mega-tournament from June 11th to July 19th. A new feature of the qualification mode is the so-called intercontinental playoff tournament in March 2026, in which the last two World Cup tickets will be awarded. With the exception of Europe, all continents are represented.
In Europe, the qualifiers will take place from March to November 2025. The twelve group winners qualify directly for the finals. The runners-up and the four best-placed group winners of the 2024/25 Nations League who are not in the top two places in their group in qualifying will contest a continental play-off tournament in March 2026 for the remaining four World Cup tickets.
| continental federation | Number of World Cup places | remark |
|---|---|---|
Europe | 16 | |
Africa | 9.5 | a team qualifies for the playoff tournament |
Asia | 8.5 | a team qualifies for the playoff tournament |
North and Central America | 6.5 | two teams qualify for the playoff tournament |
South America | 6.5 | a team qualifies for the playoff tournament |
Oceania | 1.5 | a team qualifies for the playoff tournament |