The road to the 2026 World Cup, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA, is heating up! With a massive expansion to 48 teams, the stakes are higher than ever. Let's dive into who has already secured their spot, who's still battling it out, and when we'll know the final group stage matchups.
Confirmed Teams So Far
As of November 2025, 28 nations have already punched their tickets to the biggest football tournament on Earth:
- Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
- Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
- Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- Oceania: New Zealand
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
Europe's Battleground
Europe is a key area to watch, with only England having secured their place so far. Heavyweights like Germany are in a tight race, needing to avoid slip-ups to guarantee their qualification. Switzerland is also in a strong position. The pressure is on as teams fight for direct qualification and playoff spots.
Erling Haaland and Norway are hoping to make their first World Cup appearance since 1998. The next week of qualifiers will be crucial for many European nations.
The Draw: Mark Your Calendars!
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on Friday, 5 December at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, at 17:00 GMT (19:00 SAST). Keep an eye out for who will be conducting the draw.
How the Draw Works
The 48 teams will be divided into four pots based on FIFA rankings, ensuring a balanced distribution of talent across the 12 groups. Geographical constraints will also be considered to avoid having too many teams from the same region in one group. This promises exciting and competitive group stage matches!
What to Expect
The 2026 World Cup promises to be a spectacle, with more teams, more matches, and more opportunities for football fans to witness history in the making. Stay tuned for more updates as the qualification process unfolds!