Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

By: The Associated Press Posted: 5:36 PM CDT Thursday, Jun. 5, 2025 Last Modified: 10:58 PM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 10, 2025

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The 2026 World Cup will have a record 48 teams in the tournament to be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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The 2026 World Cup will have a record 48 teams in the tournament to be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/06/2025 (426 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 2026 World Cup will have a record 48 teams in the tournament to be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Five-time champion Brazil qualified Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Paraguay. Carlo Ancelotti’s team remains the only team to play in all editions of the tournament. Ecuador also qualifed from South America after its 0-0 draw with Peru.

Australia sealed qualification earlier with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in Asian qualifying.

South Korea's Lee Taeseok, left, fights for the ball with Irag's Youssef Amyn (7) during the Asian qualifier group B soccer match for 2026 World Cup between South Korea and Iraq at the Basra International Stadium, in Basra, Iraq, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Forty-three teams will get their spots through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. The three host countries automatically qualify.

What is the breakdown?

Asia will have eight direct places and one in the intercontinental playoff.

Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff.

North and Central America plus the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs.

South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs.

Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs.

Europe will have 16 teams sure to play in the next World Cup.