Between November 13 and 18, the last two dates of the qualifying rounds will be played at World Cup 2026. From these decisive days, 14 teams will qualify directly. 28 of the 48 squads that will host the biggest football festival have already obtained their visas.
The remaining six places will come from FIFA Playoff.
The traditional World Cup draw for the event in Canada, the United States and Mexico will take place on December 5, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC
The World Cup qualifiers last more than two and a half years. They began on September 7, in Asunción, with a 0-0 draw between the teams of Paraguay and Peru. The first part will be completed on November 18 and then there will be the Playoff in March 2026.
CONCACAF
Twelve national squads divided into three groups of four teams each compete in the last round of the World Cup qualifiers of the Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean.
Honduras, leader of Group C with eight points, can become the first classified in the region (not counting the World Cup hosts) if it wins its visit to Nicaragua (1) and Costa Rica (6) draws in its visit to Haiti (5).
Jamaica, leader of Group B with nine points, can also qualify directly if it defeats Trinidad and Tobago (5) and Curacao (8) loses against Bermuda (0).
In Group A things are very even. Suriname (6) receives El Salvador (3) and Guatemala (5) hosts Panama (6).
The three winners of each of the groups will qualify directly for the World Cup and the two best runners-up will go to the Playoff.
Africa
Nigeria vs. Gabon and Cameroon vs. Republic of the Congo will meet in the semi-finals in Rabat, Morocco, on November 13. The winners will meet three days later and the winner will advance to the FIFA Playoff to be held next March.
The African qualifiers were started by 53 teams and nine have already qualified. You have one option left.
Asia
Iraq and the United Arab Emirates will face each other in round-trip matches, on November 13 and 18, to define the classification of a team from Asia to the Playoff next March.
Europe
The qualifying rounds in the Old Continent were started by 54 teams divided into 12 groups, six with four teams each and six with five.
England was the first to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Eleven teams will qualify on the two dates in November and four more next March, to complete the 16.
On November 13, France can qualify if it defeats Ukraine; Portugal if it beats the Republic of Ireland or if it draws and Hungary cannot beat Armenia; and Norway if it defeats Estonia and Italy cannot beat Moldova or if the Norwegians draw with Estonia and Italy falls against Moldova.
On November 14, the Netherlands will qualify if they defeat Poland; The next day, Spain beats Georgia and Türkiye cannot beat Bulgaria; Belgium does beat Kazakhstan; Switzerland if it beats Sweden and Kosovo cannot beat Slovenia or if the Swiss draw with Sweden and Kosovo loses against Slovenia; Austria if it defeats Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot beat Romania.
The winners of the 12 groups will advance directly to the World Cup (England already did so). The 12 seconds plus the four best ranked in the European Nations League will go to a Playoff.
These 16 selected teams will be divided into four groups of four teams each. A semi-final will be played in each group. The winners will go to the final. And the four winners of those finals will qualify for the World Cup.
The 28 teams classified for the 2026 World Cup
Hosts: Canada, United States and Mexico.
CONCACAF: None.
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
Asia: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Qatar, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Europe: England.
Oceania: New Zealand.
They advance to the Playoff
Bolivia (South America) and New Caledonia (Oceania). (Two of six).
Places for the 2026 World Cup (48)
CONCACAF: Six direct + two places in the Playoff.
South America: Six direct + a place in the Playoff.
Africa: Nine direct + a place in the Playoff.
Asia: Eight direct + one place in the Playoff.
Europe: 16 direct.
Oceania: One direct + one place in the Playoff.
