Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

By: The Associated Press Posted: 3:10 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 Last Modified: 5:48 PM CDT Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025

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A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/10/2025 (362 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

On Sunday, Ghana became the fifth African nation to qualify. The 2010 quarterfinalist joins Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia at next year’s tournament.

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.

FILE - President Donald Trump holds the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy as FIFA President Gianni Infantino looks on during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

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

Ghana

Morocco

Tunisia

Asia

Australia

Iran