Belgium's Nicolas Raskin greets fans after the 2026 World Cup group J qualifying soccer match between Belgium and Liechtenstein in Liege, Belgium, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Republished November 18, 2025 - 2:12 PM
Original Publication Date November 14, 2025 - 3:11 PM
A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
On Tuesday, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland and Austria secured Europe’s remaining automatic spots. Later, Curaçao, Panama and Haiti secured the three spots available in North and Central America and the Caribbean conference (CONCACAF).
A total of 43 teams will earn places through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams. The three host countries automatically qualify.
The breakdown
Asia has eight direct places and one — Iraq — in the six-team intercontinental playoff to be played in Mexico in March .
Africa has nine direct spots plus one — Congo — in the intercontinental playoff.
North and Central America and the Caribbean received three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots — Jamaica and Suriname — in the intercontinental playoffs.
South America has six direct spots and will send another team — Bolivia — to the intercontinental playoffs.
Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs.
Europe will have 16 teams sure to play in the World Cup.
Already qualified
United States, Mexico, Canada (automatically as hosts)
Africa
Algeria
Cape Verde
Egypt
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Morocco
Senegal
South Africa
Tunisia
Asia
Australia
Iran
Japan
Jordan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Uzbekistan
Europe
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
England
France
Germany
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Scotland
Spain
Switzerland
Oceania
New Zealand
South America
Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Uruguay
North and Central America and the Caribbean
Curaçao
Panama
Haiti
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