Teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup

By Canadian Press on November 18, 2025.

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

On Tuesday, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland and Austria secured Europe’s remaining automatic spots.

A total of 43 teams will earn places through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March in Mexico. The three host countries automatically qualify.

The breakdown

Asia has 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 (automatically as hosts)

Africa

Algeria

Cape Verde

Egypt

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Morocco

Senegal

South Africa

Tunisia

Asia

Australia

Iran

Japan

Jordan

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

South Korea

Uzbekistan

Europe

Austria

Belgium

Croatia

England

France

Germany

Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

Scotland

Spain

Switzerland

Oceania

New Zealand

South America

Argentina

Brazil

Colombia

Ecuador

Paraguay

Uruguay

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The Associated Press

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