FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Updates: Who’s In and Who Can Still Qualify
The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers have entered their climax phase with 43 of 48 qualifications already secured in the first World Cup of 48 teams to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. There was euphoria, as Curacao became the smallest country ever to make the finals with Haiti returning after half a century. Meanwhile, such giants as Greece and Nigeria were eliminated in shock. The rest of the teams will be determined by March 2026, when both European and intercontinental playoffs are already taking place. The global football spectacle now awaits the final lineup by the fans all over the world.
Qualified Teams Overview
A small table containing the summary of the number of qualified teams by region:
| Region | Qualified Teams (Count) |
| Europe (UEFA) | Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland (12) |
| Africa (CAF) | Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia (9) |
| Asia (AFC) | Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan (8) |
| Americas (CONMEBOL/CONCACAF) | Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Curacao, Panama, Haiti (9) |
| Oceania (OFC) | New Zealand (1) |
| Co-hosts | Canada, Mexico, USA (3) |
Playoffs, Format & Key Dates Ahead
European Playoffs
The last four UEFA places will be decided by sixteen teams (Italy, Denmark, Poland, Ukraine, Wales, Romania, and Sweden).
It has four playoff channels with two semifinals and one final, all played over a single leg.
Semifinals: March 26, 2026
Finals: March 31, 2026
The champions of both final matches will make up the representation of UEFA at the World Cup.
Intercontinental Playoffs
The remaining two World Cup slots will be played by six countries: Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.
These playoffs will decide the final teams until the entire list of 48 is complete.
