The 2026 World Cup, the first in history to bring together 48 nationstakes shape. Eight months before kick-off, twenty-two selections have already ensured their presence at the tournament, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 at the
United States, Mexico and Canada. These three co-organizing countries, automatically qualified, will host a unique event, spread over
16 cities and 104 matches. The rest of the world is competing for the last places in a still exciting qualifying phase.
Continents already well represented
In South Americathe hierarchy is respected. L'Argentina world champion,
BrazilL'Uruguaythere
ColombiaL'Ecuador and the
Paraguay will enjoy the trip. There Boliviaseventh, remains hopeful via the intercontinental play-offs. In Africasix countries have already validated their ticket: the
Moroccothere
TunisiaL'EgyptL'AlgeriaTHE
Ghana and the
Cape Verdethe latter signing a historic first for an archipelago of less than 600,000 inhabitants.
Side Asiasix out of eight teams are already known: the JapanL'IranL'Uzbekistan and the Jordan (both novices), the
South Korea and theAustralia. In
Oceaniathere
New Zealand
qualified without surprise.
Messi's Argentina, title holder, is among the first nations to qualify for the 2026 World Cup
Europe still waiting
Unprecedented fact at this stage of the process: no team European has not yet validated its presence. Zone qualifications UEFA will end in November, before four play-offs organized in March 2026 to complete the sixteen representatives from the Old Continent. L'Englandthere FranceL'Spain and the Portugal are well underway, but nothing is sealed yet.
On the side of the
CONCACAFthe hosts — United States, Canada and Mexico — are already guaranteed to participate. The other three direct places and two via the play-offs will be allocated by the end of the year.
A draw already scheduled
THE official draw will take place on December 5, 2025 in Washington, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Three hosts will already appear there: the Mexico in the group A (opening match at Azteca), the
Canada in the
group B and the
UNITED STATES in the group D.
But the ceremony will not yet include the 48 teams: six places will be left vacant, reserved for the winners of the intercontinental dams and
European play-offs of March 2026. A logistical puzzle that FIFA has been preparing for months for a flexible draw depending on the zone.
An extraordinary edition in preparation
With his 12 groups of four teamsthe 2026 World Cup promises unprecedented density. THE top two from each groupas well as the eight best thirdswill access the Round of 16a first in the history of the competition.
Beyond the numbers, the event will also mark a geographical and symbolic opening: more nations, more cultures, more dreams. And for the first time, the whole world will meet in three different countries, from Vancouver to Mexico, from Miami to Montreal.
| 🌍 Area | Qualified countries | 🎯 Number | 📌 Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONCACAF
North America |
Canada UNITED STATES Mexico |
3 | Organizing countries |
| CONMEBOL
South America |
Argentina Brazil Uruguay Ecuador Colombia Paraguay |
6 | Direct places all allocated |
| CIF
Africa |
Morocco Tunisia Egypt Algeria Ghana Cape Verde |
6 | On 9 direct places |
| AFC
Asia |
Japan Iran Uzbekistan Jordan South Korea Australia |
6 | On 8 direct places |
| OFC
Oceania |
New Zealand | 1 | Unique direct place in the area |
| UEFA
Europe |
None at the moment | 0 | Qualifications in progress |
