The FIFA World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be a tournament of surprises and historic moments! With the expanded format of 48 teams, the competition to qualify has been fierce, and several nations have already secured their spots.
Bafana Bafana Back on the World Stage!
South Africa, our very own Bafana Bafana, have qualified for the World Cup 2026, sparking celebrations across the nation! This is fantastic news for South African football, and we can't wait to see them compete against the best in the world.
Who Else is Going to the USA, Canada, and Mexico?
Alongside the co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, a diverse range of countries have already qualified from different continents:
- Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia.
- Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia
Curacao, a small Caribbean nation with a population of just 156,000, has also made history by qualifying for the first time. Their journey is an inspiration to smaller footballing nations everywhere.
Heartbreak for Some, Playoffs for Others
While some teams are celebrating, others are facing disappointment. Football powerhouses like Nigeria and Greece have been knocked out of contention. Meanwhile, Italy, the four-time World Cup champions, find themselves in the European playoffs, battling for a place in the tournament.
When is the World Cup Draw?
Mark your calendars! The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on December 5th at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The draw will determine the groups for the 48 participating teams, setting the stage for the tournament which kicks off on June 11th, with the final scheduled for July 19th.
How Does the Draw Work?
The teams will be seeded into four pots based on FIFA rankings. The host nations and the top-ranked teams will be in Pot 1, while the remaining teams will be distributed across the other pots. Teams from the same confederation (except for UEFA) cannot be drawn into the same group. Get ready for an exciting tournament!