World Cup 2026 Expansion: Teams Qualifying Now Confirmed

The FIFA World Cup is set to expand for the first time since 1998 when the 2026 edition takes place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. This monumental tournament will feature 48 teams, a significant increase from the previous 32 teams competing in Qatar 2022.

The path to the expanded World Cup has already seen several familiar faces secure their place. Alongside the three host nations automatically qualifying, teams like Argentina (CONMEBOL holders), Germany, Japan, and Portugal have already booked their spots following successful qualifying campaigns.

Confirmed Qualified Teams

Europe (UEFA)

• Argentina (CONMEBOL: Qualified via top-six finish)
• Belgium (UEFA: Group K winners)
• Canada (Host)
• Croatia (UEFA: Group E runners-up)
• Denmark (UEFA: Group C runners-up)
• Egypt (CAF: Group A winners)
• France (UEFA: Group H winners)
• Ghana (CAF: Group E winners)
• Germany (UEFA: Group A runners-up)
• Iran (AFC: Group B winners)
• Ivory Coast (CAF: Group C runners-up)
• Jordan (AFC: Group D winners)
• Korea Republic (AFC: Group F winners)
• 墨西哥 (Host)
• 美国 (Host)
• Morocco (CAF: Group F winners)
• Netherlands (UEFA: Group D runners-up)
• Norway (CAF: Group F winners)
• Paraguay (CONMEBOL: Qualified via top-six finish)
• Peru (CONMEBOL: Did not qualify)
• Poland (UEFA: Group C runners-up)
• Portugal (UEFA: Group B winners)
• Russia (UEFA: Group A runners-up)
• Saudi Arabia (AFC: Group C winners)
• Senegal (CAF: Group D runners-up)
• Slovakia (UEFA: Group F runners-up)
• Slovenia (UEFA: Group C runners-up)
• Tunisia (CAF: Group B winners)
• Ukraine (UEFA: Group F runners-up)
• United States (Host)
• Uzbekistan (AFC: Group H runners-up)

North/Central America Caribbean (CONCACAF)

• Canada (Host)
• Costa Rica (CONCACAF: Group B runners-up)
• Cuba (CONCACAF: Group F runners-up)
• Dominican Republic (CONCACAF: Did not qualify)
• El Salvador (CONCACAF: Did not qualify)
• Grenada (CONCACAF: Did not qualify)
• Honduras (CONCACAF: Did not qualify)
• Jamaica (CONCACAF: Group F winners)
• Mexico (Host)

Qualification Process & Remaining Spots

The remaining spots for the 48-team tournament will be decided through a combination of final qualifying rounds, play-off paths, and an inter-confederation playoff tournament scheduled for March 2026.

UEFA has confirmed its 16 teams, with twelve group winners (one from each of twelve groups) already securing places, alongside four more spots from a Nations League-based play-off system. CAF has secured nine teams, while AFC has eight. CONMEBOL and CONCACAF each guarantee a minimum of six teams, and OFC secures its first guaranteed slot.

Two final spots will be awarded via a six-team inter-confederation playoff involving teams from specific AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, OFC quotas and one extra team from the host regions.

The Draw

The official draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on December 5, 2025. It is understood that US President Donald Trump will be involved in the ceremonial proceedings.