2026 World Cup tracker: Who's in, who's out, who can still qualify?
Forty-two of a possible 48 nations have secured their World Cup tickets so far, with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico automatically part of that group as co-hosts. We're keeping track of every team that's qualified for next summer's supersized tournament.
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Playoffs | Who's in? | Who's out?
What's the breakdown?
Who can still qualify?
Two sets of playoffs, both taking part in March 2026, will determine the final six World Cup participants. The playoff draws both took place Thursday.
Intercontinental playoffs
Six teams from across the globe will battle for the two World Cup berths available through this playoff route.
- New Caledonia (OFC)
- Bolivia (CONMEBOL)
- DR Congo (CAF)
- Iraq (AFC)
- Jamaica (CONCACAF)
- Suriname (CONCACAF)
As FIFA's top-ranked teams involved, DR Congo (Path 1) and Iraq (Path 2) received byes directly to the two playoff finals, and will only have to win one game each to make the World Cup.
New Caledonia and Jamaica will meet in the Path 1 semifinal, with the winner taking on DR Congo. Bolivia and Suriname lock horns in the Path 2 semifinal, and the winner will play Iraq for a ticket to North America.
All the matches are being played in Mexico, with World Cup cities Guadalajara and Monterrey staging the games.
European playoffs
UEFA, the largest confederation, has its own 16-team playoff process that determines Europe's last four World Cup representatives. Twelve of the teams reached the playoffs by finishing second in their respective qualification groups, while the remaining four earned places through their performances in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League.
The 16 teams were divided evenly into four paths, which will each consist of single-elimination semifinals and finals (teams in bold will host their respective semifinal matches):
Path A
Italy (1) vs. Northern Ireland (4)
Wales (2) vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (3)
The winner of the Wales-Bosnia match will host the Path A final.
Path B
Ukraine (1) vs. Sweden (4)
Poland (2) vs. Albania (3)
The winner of the Ukraine-Sweden match will host the Path B final.
Path C
Turkey (1) vs. Romania (4)
Slovakia (2) vs. Kosovo (3)
The winner of the Slovakia-Kosovo match will host the Path C final.
Path D
Denmark (1) vs. North Macedonia (4)
Czechia (2) vs. Ireland (3)
The winner of the Czechia-Ireland match will host the Path D final.
All the semifinal games are slated for March 26, 2026. The decisive finals will take place March 31.
Who's already in?
Confederation: CONCACAF
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
Step aside, Iceland. The tiny island nation of Curacao made history Tuesday, becoming the smallest country by population to ever reach the World Cup. A tense 0-0 draw against Jamaica was enough for the unfancied team, known as the Blue Wave, to keep hold of top spot in its qualifying group by a single point over the favored Jamaicans. Curacao, which boasts a population of just over 156,000, punched well above its weight during qualifying, and will look to experienced manager Dick Advocaat for guidance on the global stage. The Dutch tactician will likely lean heavily on the Bacuna brothers, Leandro and Juninho, at next summer's tournament.
Confederation: CONCACAF
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
Welcome back. Manager Sebastien Migne has led Haiti to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 after an improbable qualifying campaign saw the Haitians hold off Group C favorites Costa Rica and Honduras. Migne, hired 18 months ago, has never actually been to the troubled Caribbean country; Haiti played its decisive qualifying match - a 2-0 win over Nicaragua - in Curacao due to continued unrest at home. But that hasn't stopped the Frenchman from having success on the recruiting trail. Migne has bolstered his roster by adding players with Haitian roots like Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Hannes Delcroix. He's hoping another Premier League footballer, Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, will be next to join the mix.
Confederation: CONCACAF
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
Going into the final day of CONCACAF qualifying, Panama needed to win and get help in order to return to the World Cup. Los Canaleros duly held up their end of the bargain, beating El Salvador 3-0 at home. They also got the favor they needed from Guatemala, which beat Suriname in the group's other fixture. News of Suriname's surprising setback filtered into the Estadio Rommel Fernandez, creating a party atmosphere in Panama City as fans realized their nation was on the verge of its second World Cup appearance after debuting at the tournament in 2018. Veteran captain Anibal Godoy still anchors the side, but this time he'll be joined by midfield dynamo Adalberto Carrasquilla to form the engine room of manager Thomas Christiansen's team.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes the current generation can be remembered as fondly as the all-conquering teams of 2008-2012. Spain certainly doesn't lack stardust when it can call upon the likes of Lamine Yamal and Pedri, but even when they - and, indeed, several other celebrated players - are unavailable, there are other supremely talented contributors like Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo who stepped up to help secure four points from two matches in November. A 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville was enough to seal the men's team's passage to North America. Spain is blessed with a squad that has depth, decisive players, and a distinct style of play.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
A constant stream of attacks led by Jeremy Doku didn't earn Belgium a qualification-clinching win over Kazakhstan, but the Red Devils only needed to wait three days before securing their passage on home soil with a 7-0 obliteration of Liechtenstein. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku should play in North America if they can overcome their injuries and regain match sharpness in time, but Doku - who scored twice in the decisive win over Liechtenstein - is primed to be Belgium's most important attacking piece at the World Cup. Overall, Rudi Garcia's squad doesn't have anywhere near the strength of the Belgium side that finished third at the 2018 World Cup.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
Many Scotland fans haven't been convinced by Steve Clarke's game plans. Some of the performances were difficult to watch. But who cares? Scotland is into its first men's World Cup since 1998 after one of the finest nights in country's long footballing history. It looked like it was over when Patrick Dorgu equalized in the 81st minute, returning Denmark to the top of Group C, but Kieran Tierney smashed a shot home in the 93rd minute to send Hampden Park wild. Nervy moments followed as Scotland desperately tried to keep hold of first place. Then, just when it seemed the referee would finally blow his whistle, Kenny McLean scored from the halfway line to make sure of the result. Iconic.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
Can anything about Switzerland quicken the pulse? The men's team has reached the World Cup quarterfinals on three occasions - but the last time was in 1954. Somehow, players like Ricardo Rodriguez are still getting starts. Murat Yakin, one of the faces from a period of Swiss soccer you probably forgot about, is still head coach. But the truth is, Switzerland can bloody the giants' noses. In its recent major tournament appearances, it's eliminated France and Italy, forced Argentina into extra time, drawn with Brazil, and lost to Spain and England in penalty shootouts. The Swiss qualified after a 1-1 draw with Kosovo.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 18, 2025
Austria squeezed into Pot 1 for the qualifying draw and was dropped into arguably the weakest group of UEFA's qualification cycle. Marko Arnautovic and Co. don't care, though. They got it done. Austria fell behind to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Vienna before Michael Gregoritsch's close-range jab in the 77th minute secured a 1-1 draw and sent Ralf Rangnick's side through. A popular pick as the Euro 2024 dark horse, Austria impressively beat the Netherlands in the group stage before suffering a heartbreaking elimination to Turkey in the round of 16. This is perhaps the last time this generation can engineer a deep tournament run, as key figures David Alaba, Arnautovic, Gregoritsch, and Marcel Sabitzer are all in their 30s.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 17, 2025
Nick Woltemade has rapidly become a vital part of Julian Nagelsmann's lineup. The towering yet twinkle-toed striker boosted his reputation further when he punctured the tension in Leipzig with the opening goal in Germany's qualification-clinching 6-0 rout of Slovakia. Germany's campaign went down to the final day after some unconvincing performances by the four-time world champion, including frustrating narrow wins over Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. Jamal Musiala and Antonio Rudiger returning to full fitness for the World Cup should make the squad stronger, but this latest ensemble needs more work before it has the fear factor of previous German generations.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 17, 2025
Somewhat quietly, the Netherlands has put together a stacked squad. The fact that Sunderland standout Robin Roefs remains uncapped hints at the strength of the goalkeeping department. And let's just list some names from an obscenely talented defensive group: Nathan Ake, Matthijs de Ligt, Denzel Dumfries, Jurrien Timber, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk, and Jan Paul van Hecke. Further up the field is strong, too. The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, and Xavi Simons busy themselves behind a frontline that can feature the surprisingly undroppable Memphis Depay, along with Cody Gakpo, Justin Kluivert, and Donyell Malen. The Dutch advanced to the World Cup after thumping four unanswered goals past Lithuania.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 16, 2025
Norway somehow failed to qualify for Euro 2024, despite boasting big-name players like Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, and others in its ranks. But the Norwegians made no mistake this time. They won each of their eight qualifiers, scoring 37 goals in the process, to easily finish ahead of second-placed Italy and secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Norway smashed Italy 4-1 in Milan to conclude its qualification cycle. This isn't just a generation belatedly proving its worth: Norway's conveyor belt of gifted footballers continues to produce. Oscar Bobb (aged 22), Antonio Nusa (20), and Sverre Nypan (18) could be given the platform to shine in North America.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 16, 2025
Portugal should've had qualification wrapped up in October, but Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai's equalizer in added time forced Roberto Martinez's side to wait until the following international window. Many expected the Portuguese to then get the job done in their first match of November's slate, but Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off as Troy Parrott inspired the Republic of Ireland to a shock 2-0 win in Dublin. Suddenly, Portugal's cruise through qualification was in danger of crashing. But Portugal, without the suspended Ronaldo, tended quickly to its fans' nerves against Armenia, smashing the minnow 9-1 with Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes both recording hat-tricks.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 14, 2025
Incredible beaches, beautiful people, and a high-achieving men's team - life can't be bad in Croatia. The checkered overachievers from a nation of under 4 million people have only missed one World Cup or European Championship since 1996 (South Africa 2010) and booked their place in North America with a 3-1 comeback win over the Faroe Islands. Josko Gvardiol, Petar Musa, and Nikola Vlasic scored the goals to send Croatia through. The lineup has been steadily refreshed in recent years, but Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Andrej Kramaric were in Zlatko Dalic's latest Croatia squad and are therefore in line to feature at the World Cup with a combined age of 111.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Nov. 13, 2025
Didier Deschamps' last hurrah as France boss will be at the World Cup after Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a 4-0 win over Ukraine. Deschamps has won international soccer's biggest prize with France as a player and coach, and managed the team to runner-up finishes at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup, but he hasn't been immune from criticism during his time in charge. He's been accused of blind loyalty and glaring tactical missteps, such as when Adrien Rabiot played wing-back during France's elimination to Switzerland at Euro 2020. France arguably produces more elite players than anywhere else, so a semifinal appearance is the minimum requirement in 2026.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Oct. 14, 2025
With the match ticking toward halftime, some of the more pessimistic Senegal supporters would've felt concerned that their team would trip at the final hurdle. However, Sadio Mane scored a goal toward the end of the opening period and added another soon after the break. Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo then completed a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Mauritania. DR Congo, which has never appeared at a World Cup, finished second in Group B with 22 points and will need to beat Cameroon and either Nigeria or Gabon in November to become Africa's representative in FIFA's inter-confederation playoffs taking place March 2026.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Oct. 14, 2025
Elite club football has been blessed with gifted Ivorian players for a long time, so it was surprising that the men's team missed the past two World Cups before reaching the 2026 edition. Franck Kessie, Yan Diomande, and Amad Diallo scored eye-catching goals to give the Ivory Coast a 3-0 victory that wrapped up the top spot in Group F ahead of Gabon. It's unlikely any player who featured at the 2014 World Cup will be in the Ivory Coast squad next summer, especially while right-back Serge Aurier, who last represented his country in February 2024, is seemingly out of the picture while playing for Persepolis in Iran.
Confederation: UEFA
Date of qualification: Oct. 14, 2025
England qualified for the World Cup with two matches to spare after winning each of its opening six qualifying matches, becoming the first European nation to punch its ticket for the tournament in the process. It wasn't entirely plain-sailing though. Supporters were left deeply unimpressed with some performances in 2025, especially the narrow win over Andorra and a friendly defeat to Senegal in Nottingham. Then, as morale improved, thanks to straightforward victories over Serbia and Wales, head coach Thomas Tuchel followed the latter match by criticizing fans for being "silent" during the friendly. England's followers targeted Tuchel during the team's qualification-clinching 5-0 win in Latvia with sarcastic chants, such as, "Are we loud enough for you?"
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: Oct. 14, 2025
Saudi Arabia needed to avoid defeat to Iraq to clinch a World Cup berth, and the Middle Eastern nation did exactly that with a goalless draw in Jeddah. The men's team is set to compete at its seventh World Cup, with four wins to show for its efforts thus far (two in 1994 and one apiece in 2018 and 2022). Saudi Arabia's last appearance featured the finest victory in its history, as Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored in a scarcely believable 2-1 win over eventual winner Argentina in its group opener. However, subsequent losses to Poland and Mexico meant the Green Falcons finished at the bottom of Group C and were eliminated. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup.
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: Oct. 14, 2025
Qatar successfully navigated a qualification cycle for the first time and will therefore compete at back-to-back World Cups after hosting in 2022. It wasn't a straightforward route to North America, however. The team, which was reduced to 10 men, needed to prevent another late goal that would've earned the United Arab Emirates a 2-2 draw and a place at the World Cup in Qatar's stead. As the 2022 World Cup showed, Qatar isn't short of money to throw at its ambitious football project, with the men's team currently overseen by former Real Madrid and West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Oct. 14, 2025
The group was set up for a grandstand finish with Benin in the top spot on 17 points, South Africa second on 15, and Nigeria - despite its riches in attack - disappointingly positioned third on 14. But the final standings were pretty much sorted by halftime of Group C's final round of fixtures. Nigeria's 4-0 win over Benin meant South Africa's concurrent 3-0 victory over Rwanda sent Bafana Bafana to the World Cup for the first time since they hosted in 2010. Siphiwe Tshabalala's goal in the opener of the South African tournament is among the most iconic moments in World Cup history. The most recognizable player in South Africa's recent squads is Burnley's Lyle Foster.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Oct. 13, 2025
Cape Verde will become the second-smallest country by population, after Iceland, to ever feature at the men's World Cup when the tiny island nation makes its tournament debut next summer. The Blue Sharks, representing an archipelago that's home to roughly 525,000 people, held off African powerhouse Cameroon in their qualifying group, sealing their berth with a momentous 3-0 win over Eswatini. Cape Verde president Jose Maria Neves was in attendance in the capital city of Praia as second-half goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and veteran Stopira secured the points needed for head coach Bubista's side.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Oct. 12, 2025
Otto Addo became the first head coach to guide Ghana to consecutive World Cup appearances, justifying the faith shown in him by the federation after many called for his ouster following a disastrous 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign ended with his team failing to reach the continental competition. But the 50-year-old bench boss seemingly has the Black Stars back on track after that disappointment. Ghana dominated its World Cup qualification group, securing its spot at the tournament with a 1-0 win over Comoros thanks to a goal from Tottenham standout Mohammed Kudus.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Oct. 9, 2025
Wolfsburg's Mohamed Amoura scored his seventh and eighth goals of the qualification campaign as Algeria secured its place at the 2026 World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Somalia. Thirty-four-year-old winger Riyad Mahrez, now with Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli, slammed in the other goal and remains his country's standout player. Granada goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of iconic midfielder Zinedine, was also included in the squad for October's international window shortly after he switched his allegiance from France. Algeria's excursion to North America will mark its first World Cup appearance since exiting the 2014 edition in the round of 16.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Oct. 8, 2025
Mohamed Salah scored twice at the 2018 World Cup despite nursing an injured shoulder, but it wasn't enough to prevent Egypt's group-stage elimination after three straight defeats. Penalty shootout heartbreak in a qualification playoff with Senegal denied Egypt a place at the 2022 tournament. Now, Salah has an opportunity to erase those painful memories after he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Djibouti to send his country to the 2026 World Cup. Ex-Aston Villa winger Trezeguet, who now plays for Al Ahly in his homeland, also remains a regular in the Egypt lineup.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Sept. 8, 2025
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane led jubilant celebrations in the puddles behind Equatorial Guinea's goal after his 94th-minute tap-in confirmed Tunisia's passage to the World Cup. The Eagles of Carthage will compete in their seventh World Cup with the clear aim of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Sami Trabelsi, who's in his second spell as Tunisia head coach, oversees a squad that features Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri. Legendary attacker Youssef Msakni, 34, is currently without a club and missed September's round of international fixtures.
Confederation: CAF
Date of qualification: Sept. 5, 2025
The Atlas Lions became the first African team to book their 2026 World Cup ticket, sealing their place with an emphatic 5-0 rout of Niger. Walid Regragui's side, which made history by reaching the semifinals in Qatar in 2022, is the top African nation in the FIFA rankings, and secured the result that was widely expected after being drawn in a qualification group with Tanzania, Zambia, Congo, and the aforementioned Niger. Morocco, led by PSG star Achraf Hakimi, is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations later this year, and could be in for two memorable major tournaments in quick succession.
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Date of qualification: Sept. 4, 2025
Welcome back, Colombia. After failing to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, the Colombians will return to the sport's grandest stage next summer. Veteran playmaker James Rodriguez nearly quit the national team following the 2022 cycle, but he's once again leading the way for Nestor Lorenzo's squad. The 34-year-old became Colombia's all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying matches, and is only the second player - after Radamel Falcao - to score at least 30 international goals for Los Cafeteros. With Luis Diaz, Jhon Arias, and Richard Rios among those in support of the reinvigorated captain, Colombia has all the tools to go on a deep run.
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Date of qualification: Sept. 4, 2025
Paraguay is returning to the tournament for the first time since 2010. Manager Gustavo Alfaro, appointed last year, has authored an inspiring turnaround for a national program that's enjoyed little success since making its last World Cup appearance in South Africa. A nomadic tactician who coached 15 different teams across club and international soccer prior to taking over La Albirroja, Alfaro has turned Paraguay into a defensive force; the team kept six clean sheets in his first 11 matches. World Cup qualification was such a joyous occasion in Paraguay that president Santiago Pena declared an impromptu national holiday to mark the achievement.
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Date of qualification: Sept. 4, 2025
For the first time in its proud footballing history, Uruguay has qualified for five successive World Cups. The two-time champion clinched its latest berth with a comprehensive victory over Peru, ensuring that legendary manager Marcelo Bielsa - assuming he stays at the helm - will return to the tournament after previous appearances as coach of Argentina and Chile. Since the international retirements of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, the nation's top two scorers of all time, Uruguay has been searching for a reliable No. 9. La Celeste may have found one in Rodrigo Aguirre, the journeyman 30-year-old striker who now plays for Mexican giants Club America.
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Date of qualification: June 10, 2025
Defensive solidity is the name of the game for Ecuador, which will feature at the World Cup for the fifth time in its history next summer. Sebastian Beccacece's team is among the most difficult in the world to break down; Ecuador secured its place with a 0-0 draw against Peru, its third consecutive goalless stalemate in CONMEBOL qualifying. Goals haven't exactly been flowing - La Tri scored just 14 in 18 qualifying matches - but they conceded only five in that time, by far the best mark in South America.
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Date of qualification: June 10, 2025
Carlo Ancelotti achieved his primary goal, guiding a previously misfiring Brazil to the World Cup with a victory over Paraguay in his second match in charge. The Italian, brought in to much acclaim to replace Dorival Junior, will now be tasked with bringing more excitement to the Selecao's play and entertaining supporters who have been desperate for a revival of the expressive "Joga Bonito" style that has defined the national team for much of its illustrious history. Brazil, the five-time World Cup champion, maintains its record of qualifying for every edition of the men's tournament.
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: June 10, 2025
Australia is heading to its sixth consecutive men's World Cup, sealing its place in North America with a 2-1 comeback victory over Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos went into the contest knowing they simply needed to avoid losing by a five-goal margin to punch their ticket, and, despite conceding an early tally in Jeddah, Tony Popovic's men fought back to get the required result. The Aussies join Japan in emerging out of Group C in the third round of AFC qualifying and will look to replicate - or exceed - their Round of 16 appearance from four years ago.
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: June 5, 2025
Jordan was the second Asian nation to secure its World Cup debut in a single day after Uzbekistan booked its spot just over two hours earlier. Several key figures from Jordan's recent football history are no longer part of the team due to international retirement or simply falling out of favor, but the likes of Yazan Al-Naimat and skillful Rennes winger Mousa Al-Tamari will try to ensure their country's first World Cup outing is more than a group-stage exit.
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: June 5, 2025
South Korea booked its 11th consecutive appearance at the World Cup after overcoming 10-man Iraq in its penultimate Group B game during the third round of AFC qualifiers. Son Heung-min, now shining in MLS with LAFC, is still the standout presence in the squad, while versatile Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in is looking to establish himself as the poster boy of the latest Taegeuk Warriors generation. Hong Myung-bo is set to oversee his second World Cup as South Korea boss after the team recorded one draw and two defeats under his watch in 2014.
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: June 5, 2025
Uzbekistan became the 81st different country to reach the men's World Cup following a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. Each of the White Wolves' five qualification wins in this cycle came by a one-goal margin, which emphasizes the importance of Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov and fellow defenders Husniddin Aliqulov and Rustamjon Ashurmatov in a stubborn back-three. Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov is another star of Uzbek soccer and is the all-time leading scorer for the men's team with 41 goals.
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Date of qualification: March 25, 2025
The reigning World Cup champion already qualified for the 2026 edition before taking the pitch in Buenos Aires, sealing a place by virtue of Bolivia's goalless draw with Uruguay earlier in the day. There was less at stake in Argentina's much-anticipated qualification tilt with Brazil. However, La Albiceleste took care of business nonetheless, crushing their hated rivals 4-1 to further assert their dominance in South American qualifying. Lionel Scaloni's side will be a popular pick to conquer the globe again despite the fact that talismanic captain Lionel Messi will turn 39 during the tournament.
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: March 25, 2025
Iran confirmed its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, and seventh in the history of its men's team program, after racing to 20 points from its first eight matches in the third round of Asian qualifiers. Carlos Queiroz isn't in charge of this latest group, but the rest of the squad will be familiar to many onlookers: Eight of the 11 starters from the World Cup-clinching draw with Uzbekistan are aged 30 or over, including mainstays Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and Saman Ghoddos.
Confederation: OFC
Date of qualification: March 24, 2025
To the surprise of nobody, New Zealand clinched Oceania's single automatic World Cup berth after winning each of its five qualification matches. The All Whites brushed aside Tahiti, Vanuatu, and Samoa before thumping Fiji 7-0 in the third round's semifinals, and then officially punched their ticket to North America with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia. Chris Wood's nine goals during the qualification process are more than twice the total of the second top scorer, fellow Kiwi attacker Elijah Just.
Confederation: AFC
Date of qualification: March 20, 2025
Japan became the first team to qualify on the pitch for the 2026 World Cup - and did so with three matches to spare - when Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo's sumptuous finishes sunk Bahrain in Saitama. Japan is an early candidate for the World Cup's "dark horse" tag as the Samurai Blue's exciting generation is highlighted by goal-scorers Kamada and Kubo, and the likes of England-based players Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, and Ao Tanaka.
Confederation: CONCACAF
Date of qualification: Feb. 14, 2023 (co-host)
Mexico has reacted since its concerning 4-2 defeat to Switzerland in June. It subsequently beat Turkey in another friendly before embarking on a successful Gold Cup campaign that culminated with a 2-1 victory over its archrival, the United States, in the final. There's a lot of excitement around Club Tijuana midfielder Gilberto Mora, who became the youngest player to debut in a competitive match for Mexico's men's team when he started its Gold Cup quarterfinal win over Honduras at 16 years and 257 days. He then started in the semifinal and final, giving El Tri a rising star to build around.
Confederation: CONCACAF
Date of qualification: Feb. 14, 2023 (co-host)
Is Canada finding its groove? American coach Jesse Marsch said the right things to boost his popularity in Canada, but his charm offensive was at risk of losing its luster after the team posed little threat in the 2024 Nations League Finals and limped out of the 2025 Gold Cup quarterfinals. However, some encouraging displays have maintained belief, including four goals against Ukraine in June and friendly victories over Romania and Wales during September's international break. Perhaps the men's team's wait for its first win at a World Cup will end next summer.
Confederation: CONCACAF
Date of qualification: Feb. 14, 2023 (co-host)
Mauricio Pochettino was under pressure intense pressure earlier in the year after some sluggish performances against quality opposition, but the United States looks to have turned a corner going into 2026. The Americans closed out 2025 by hammering Uruguay 5-1, giving Pochettino a statement win - the best of his tenure so far - against his idol Marcelo Bielsa. The USMNT will head into the new year riding a five-match unbeaten run. There are still some lingering squad questions that need to be answered, but this team is suddenly in a much better place than it was just a couple months ago.
Who's out?
The list of notable teams already eliminated includes Cameroon, Chile, Costa Rica, Hungary, Iceland, Nigeria, Peru, Serbia, and Venezuela.
Several marquee European sides, including Italy, could potentially join that group after the conclusion of the qualifying playoffs.
Key dates ahead
Dec. 5: FIFA World Cup draw
March 23-31, 2026: Final World Cup qualifying matches
June 1-9, 2026: Pre-tournament friendly matches
June 11, 2026: World Cup opening match