A record 48 nations will be playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This will be the first time the tournament will have an expanded format, as it raises the number of participating countries from 32 to 48. The three host countries qualify directly into the tournament, and the other 45 are being determined through continental qualifying tournaments and intercontinental playoffs to be held in March 2026.
African Teams Book Early FIFA World Cup 2026 Places
Tunisia joined the list of African teams to book their place in the World Cup with a 1-0 win against Equatorial Guinea on September 8, 2025. This is Tunisia’s third successive World Cup qualification. At the helm of Africa Group H with a 10-point lead above Nigeria, Tunisia has not lost a single game in the qualifying matches. Morocco had previously qualified on September 5, which guarantees two African representatives for the tournament, with additional spots up for contest on the continent.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Asia and Oceania Finalize Their Representatives
Asia has been assured eight direct berths, and Japan, Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Australia are already confirmed for the tournament. One more team from Asia will qualify through the intercontinental playoffs. In Oceania, New Zealand set an all-time record by winning the region’s automatic qualification in March, with the potential of another team, e.g., New Caledonia, coming through via the intercontinental playoffs.
FIFA World Cup 2026: South America, North America, and Europe Update
South America boasts six direct positions, with already qualified Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay. A seventh South American team will join the intercontinental playoffs. North and Central America and the Caribbean have three direct positions along with the host countries, with two others decided through intercontinental playoffs. Europe, historically a bastion during World Cup past, will have 16 teams, all primed to come out of its demanding qualifying rounds.
Future Intercontinental Playoffs for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification
With 43 teams qualifying via continental qualifiers, two of the remaining spots will be determined through intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams. The matches in March 2026 will seal the 48-team roster for the tournament. The new format is likely to make the 2026 World Cup one of the most competitive and best-viewed in history.
Already Qualified Teams in a Glance
- Hosts: Mexico, United States, Canada
- Africa: Morocco, Tunisia
- Asia: Uzbekistan, South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Australia, Japan
- Oceania: New Zealand
- South America: Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina
As the qualification phase heats up, football fans across the globe are waiting anxiously for the complete roster as the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears.
