Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
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A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
On Thursday, Algeria become the fourth African country to qualify. A day earlier, Egypt secured its place.
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.
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 and 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 World Cup.
Already qualified
United States, Mexico, Canada (qualified automatically as hosts)
Africa
Algeria
Egypt
Morocco
Tunisia
Asia
Australia
Iran
Japan
Jordan
South Korea
Uzbekistan
Oceania
New Zealand
South America
Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Uruguay
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer