The path to the 2026 World Cup, an unprecedented event with 48 teams, is underway. The finals, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will expand to 104 matches across 16 cities.
How Will the 48 spots be filled?
AFC (Asia)
Number of spots: Eight plus possibly one via intercontinental playoff)
With the third round underway, Japan is on track to become the first country (excluding the hosts) to qualify in what will be a two-year qualification process for AFC teams. A victory against Bahrain in Saitama on Thursday (20) will secure Hajime Moriyasu’s team a spot, as they hold a 10-point lead over third-placed Indonesia in Group C, with four matches remaining. The race for the other qualification spots in Group C is tight, with Australia in second, one point ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China.
CAF (Africa)
Number of spots: Nine plus possibly one via intercontinental playoff)
Egypt, with a four-point lead in Group A, is unbeaten and aims to solidify its qualification bid with matches against Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. However, Morocco is the highest-ranked team in Africa following its fantastic display in Qatar and, with a perfect record in Group E, should face an easy path to qualification.
CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean)
Number of spots: 3+3 (hosts), possibly two more spots through an intercontinental playoff.
With three automatic qualification spots already occupied by the host nations, the competition for the remaining three spots and two playoff opportunities is particularly fierce. Honduras and Costa Rica are performing as expected, leading Groups A and B, respectively.
CONMEBOL (South America)
Number of spots: six plus possibly one via intercontinental playoff,
With six rounds remaining, Argentina, leading by five points, faces crucial encounters against Uruguay and Brazil. The current champions need seven points from the remaining 18 to secure qualification. Uruguay is in second place. Brazil, in fifth place, has been inconsistent, while Chile remains in contention for seventh place, with Bolivia and Venezuela as the main competitors for the playoff spot.
OFC (Oceania)
Number of spots: One plus possibly one via intercontinental playoff
The guaranteed Oceania spot in the World Cup will be decided in crucial matches with New Caledonia facing Tahiti, and New Zealand playing against Fiji in the semifinals. New Zealand is favored due to its experience and ranking.
UEFA (Europe)
Number of spots: 16
The group stage, which continues until November 2025, has a staggered start with groups of five teams beginning this month, while groups of four teams start in September. Wales faces Kazakhstan, Scotland plays against Belarus and Greece in their opening matches, while Northern Ireland awaits its start.
Intercontinental Playoffs
The final two spots will be decided through a tournament that will take place in one of the host countries in March 2026. This single-elimination event with six teams will include one team from AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC, along with two teams from CONCACAF (the host confederation receives an additional entry). The four lowest-ranked teams will compete in two semifinals, while the two highest-ranked teams will secure a spot in the finals. The winners of the two semifinals will face the two seeded teams, and the winners of those matches will secure the last two spots in the 2026 World Cup.
Source: The Guardian