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With the international soccer calendar heating up, the field for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup is taking shape. Following recent qualifying matches, 32 of the tournament’s participants have been confirmed, representing nations across Africa, Europe, and beyond. This article details the current state of qualifying, outlining the remaining pathways to the tournament-scheduled for the United States, Canada, and Mexico-and the teams still in contention for a spot in the world’s most prestigious soccer competition.
With the latest FIFA international window underway, the 2026 World Cup is already two-thirds of the way to filling its field of 48 teams. Recent days have seen qualifying concluded for representatives from Africa and Europe, bringing the total number of confirmed participants to 32.
Only six spots remain open for the tournament as this international window progresses: four will be decided through a European playoff, and two through an intercontinental playoff.
2026 World Cup: Confirmed Teams
- South Africa
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Saudi Arabia
- Australia
- Brazil
- Cape Verde
- Canada
- Colombia
- South Korea
- Ivory Coast
- Croatia
- Egypt
- Ecuador
- United States
- France
- Ghana
- England
- Iran
- Japan
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Senegal
- Tunisia
- Uzbekistan
- Uruguay
2026 World Cup: What Still Needs to Be Decided
Of the 16 spots still up for grabs, 11 will come from European qualifying (UEFA), three from North and Central America/Caribbean qualifying (CONCACAF), and two will be determined by the intercontinental playoff.
In Europe, seven direct qualifying berths are still available, with another four to be contested in a playoff within the continent.
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Wales, Poland and Switzerland are all in contention for direct qualification.
Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Albania and the Czech Republic have already secured their places in the European playoff. Seven more teams will join them, with matches scheduled for March 2026.
NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA/CARIBBEAN:
The final spots in CONCACAF qualifying will be decided in the last round of matches. Suriname, Panama, Jamaica, Curaçao, Honduras, Costa Rica and Haiti are all still vying for a place in the tournament.
INTERCONTINENTAL PLAYOFF:
Three of the six intercontinental playoff spots are still open. They will be filled by the two best second-placed teams from CONCACAF and the winner of the tie between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, in the final stage of Asian qualifying (AFC). The two sides drew 1-1 in the first leg in Abu Dhabi and will meet again on Tuesday in Basra.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo, who defeated Nigeria on penalties on Sunday to secure their spot, along with New Caledonia (Oceania/OFC) and Bolivia (South America/CONMEBOL) have already qualified for the intercontinental playoff. The playoff matches are scheduled for March of next year.
