2026 World Cup advances with 32 places defined in global qualifiers; see pending issues in Europe and the Americas

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, reached 32 of the 48 places filled after the November 2025 rounds. The tournament, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, saw teams such as Brazil, Argentina and France confirm direct presence. The qualifiers, which began in 2023 on some continents, defined two thirds of the participants, leaving 16 places for repechages in March 2026.

Portugal and Norway were the last to qualify in Europe, totaling 11 direct places in UEFA. In South America, the six Conmebol places are already closed with Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay. The advancement reflects the expanded format of the World Cup, with more opportunities for Asian and African confederations.

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• Brazil leads the South American ranking with 28 points in 12 games.
• France scored 10 points in European Group D, ensuring leadership.
• New Zealand secured Oceania’s place by beating Fiji 7-0 in the qualifying final.

Direct vacancies consolidated by confederation

The African Football Confederation (Caf) defined nine direct places, with Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia advancing. These teams emerged from groups played since November 2023, with knockout games completed in November 2025. The African play-off, won by the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties against Nigeria, will send a representative to the intercontinental playoffs.

In Asia, the Asian Confederation (AFC) filled eight vacancies, including Australia, Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan and Uzbekistan. The third phase groups ended in June 2025, with the fourth phase defining the last ones in November. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq will compete in a continental playoff, the winner of which will go through to the global playoff.

North, Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) has three automatic venues and three direct places pending, to be resolved in the last round of November 2025. The two best runners-up will advance to the intercontinental playoffs. Oceania contributed a direct place to New Zealand, after the knockout stage in March 2025.

Pending issues in Europe define 11 final classifieds

The European groups concluded double rounds in November 2025, with leaders such as England, Spain and the Netherlands advancing directly. Denmark and Scotland compete in Group C, tied on 10 points, while Ukraine fights with France for Group D. UEFA has allocated 16 places in total, with 12 groups whose winners qualify and runners-up going to playoffs in March 2026.

Italy, eliminated from the direct place after a 4-1 defeat to Norway, goes to the play-offs with Türkiye, Poland and others. The playoffs divide 16 teams into four paths, with semifinals and definitive finals.creating four extra places. The format considers the Nations League ranking for seeds.

Norway, boosted by Erling Haaland’s 14 goals in qualifying, topped their group with an initial seven-game unbeaten run. Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo, won Group I 9-1 in Armenia, adding 19 points. These advances mark Portugal’s seventh consecutive participation in the World Cup.

Concacaf finals and global repechage

The third phase of Concacaf, with 12 teams in three groups, ends in November 2025, defining three direct places. The winners of each group advance, while the two best runners-up go to the intercontinental playoffs. Teams like Costa Rica, Honduras and Jamaica lead their brackets, with decisive games this week.

• Costa Rica has 15 points in Group A, ahead of Honduras.
• Jamaica leads Group B with 14 points, followed by Panama.
• Guatemala and Curaçao fight in Group C, with a focus on regional revenge.

The intercontinental playoff, in March 2026, will bring together six teams for two places: winner of the Asian playoff (Iraq or United Arab Emirates), the African team (Democratic Republic of Congo), the two from Concacaf and New Caledonia from Oceania. The tournament will have semi-finals and a single final, ranked by FIFA.

New Caledonia, runner-up from Oceania, faces the Asian winner in the semi-final. Bolivia, as the best third in Conmebol, could enter, but the focus remains on the open brackets. These playoffs will take place andm neutral headquarters, prioritizing logistics for the expanded World Cup.

Historical context of the expanded qualifiers

The 48-team format, approved in 2017 by FIFA, increases places for Africa (from 5 to 9), Asia (from 4.5 to 8.5) and Concacaf (from 3.5 to 6.5, including venues). Europe maintains 16, Conmebol six and Oceania one, with a global playoff adding balance. The European qualifiers began in March 2025, integrating the Nations League for playoffs.

South America concluded early, with Brazil undefeated at home and Argentina defending the 2022 title. Asia saw newcomers like Uzbekistan, after 16 years of trying. Africa highlighted surprises like Cape Verde, in its first World Cup. These adjustments aim for greater global representation in the 2026 tournament.

The group draw takes place on December 5, 2025, distributing teams into 16 groups of three. The final will be at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey, with a capacity for 82 thousand spectators. The November 2025 qualifiers mark the closing of key phases, setting the stage for final decisions in March.