2026 World Cup: Surprises and Historic Qualifications

The 2026 World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is approaching with 42 teams already qualified. Six more spots will be decided in the playoffs.

Europe: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Scotland, Switzerland.

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay.

Asia: Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Uzbekistan.

Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia.

Oceania: New Zealand.

North & Central America: USA, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Curacao, Haiti.

Curacao and Haiti are the big surprises, while Scotland returns to the final stage after many years. Cape Verde also secured a historic qualification.

The teams competing for the last spots through the playoffs are: Albania, Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Ireland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Kosovo, Wales, Turkey, Denmark, Bosnia, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, Suriname, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Bolivia, DR Congo and Iraq.

The group stage draw will take place on December 5, 2025, in Washington.