The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its final stretch. While hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada are automatically in, there are 45 more spots up for grabs via continental and playoff routes.
25 teams have already punched their tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while others are locked in battles for remaining berths and playoff places.
Below is a breakdown of who has already qualified, who must go through playoffs, and how the confederations stack up. Let’s map out who’s in, who’s still chasing, and the paths ahead.
Read also: Everything to Know on 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Already Qualified: 25 of 45 Berths Taken
So far, the following nations have confirmed their place in the tournament:
Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Qatar, England, Saudi Arabia, Ivory Coast, Senegal.
Some confederations are fully decided, others still have decisions to make. Let’s take a closer look.
Europe & CONCACAF
While European qualification continues through November, England became the first UEFA team to seal its place in the 2026 finals.
Playoff format:
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The 12 runners-up in the groups, plus 4 additional teams based on Nations League rankings, will compete in UEFA playoffs in March 2026.
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There will be four routes; each route has one single-leg semi-final and one final. Winners earn the final UEFA World Cup slots.
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Unlike other confederations, UEFA does not feed into the intercontinental playoffs; their four playoff slots feed directly into the World Cup.
CONCACAF qualification remains ongoing, with the three host countries already locked in.
Read also: Everything to Know on 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Africa (CAF)
Africa’s qualifiers wrapped up group play. The 9 group winners took the automatic berths, and the four best runners-up will contest a CAF playoff for one slot in the inter-confederation playoffs.
From the second-placed teams in the groups, the following advanced to the CAF playoff stage:
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Gabon
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DR Congo
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Cameroon
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Nigeria
Those four will contest CAF playoffs (semi-finals and final) in Morocco in November 2025. The winner will progress to the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026. The order is based on FIFA rankings; winners meet for the CAF playoff crown.
Current playoff pairings (based on FIFA ranking order):
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Nigeria vs. Gabon
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Cameroon vs. DR Congo
CAF has confirmed that Morocco will host the playoff mini-tournament in November 2025.
Qualified:
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Ghana
- Cape Verde
- South Africa
- Ivory Coast
- Senegal
Read also: Nigeria Secures FIFA World Cup Playoff Spot with 4-0 Win Over Benin Republic
Asia (AFC)
Asia’s qualification is complete. After several rounds, their final phase decided everything. The six group winners and six runners-up from Round 3 advanced to Round 4, and from there eight automatic qualifiers were determined.
Now, Iraq and UAE will compete in a two-leg tie in November 2025 to reach the intercontinental playoffs.
Qualified:
- Japan
- Iran
- Uzbekistan
- South Korea
- Jordan
- Australia
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
South America (CONMEBOL)
All 10 teams played a full round-robin schedule. The top six earned direct spots; the 7th placed team advances to intercontinental playoffs.
Bolivia secured the playoff spot after a stunning 1–0 win over Brazil.
Qualified:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Ecuador
- Uruguay
- Colombia
- Paraguay
Oceania (OFC)
In Oceania, New Zealand clinched the automatic berth.
Playoff slot:
Read also: Everything to Know on 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
North, Central America, Caribbean (CONCACAF)
Because USA, Mexico, and Canada host 2026, they automatically occupy three of the region’s slots. That leaves 3 direct berths to contest, plus 2 places in the intercontinental playoff path.
So far, no one has locked in direct qualification, the groups remain open.
Intercontinental Playoffs – Final Two Slots (March 2026)
Here’s how the final two World Cup places will be decided in March 2026. Six teams (one each from CAF, AFC, OFC, CONMEBOL, and two from CONCACAF) will vie for the remaining two World Cup spots.
The playoffs will be held in North America (likely Mexico) between March 23–31, 2026.
The top two by FIFA World Ranking will skip to the final round; the remaining four play in two semifinals, and the winners face the seeded teams for the final two slots.
These matches will likely be held in one of the World Cup host nations as rehearsal events.
Read also: Everything to Know on 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
What’s Next?
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November 2025:- Europe, Concacaf, and some remaining African qualifiers wrap up.
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CAF Playoffs in Morocco determine Africa’s intercontinental contender.
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March 2026:- Intercontinental playoffs decide the final two spots.
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By then, the full roster of 48 nations will be confirmed for 2026.
