Qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup began on Oct. 12, 2023, when countries from the Asian confederation played their first round of matches. Myanmar’s Lwin Moe Aung scored the very first goal in a 5-1 win over Macau.

All confederations are drawing to a close, but we’re still a long way from discovering the full list of 45 nations that will join hosts United States, Mexico and Canada to make up the field of 48.

Japan were the very first country to qualify on March 20.

QUALIFIED (17/45): Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria

What can be decided in October?

Europe and Concacaf: Qualifying doesn’t end until November, but we could see the first few European countries book their places.

Africa: The final two rounds of the group stage take place in October, when we will discover the seven nations that will join Morocco and Tunisia, plus the interconfederation playoff contenders.

Asia: The fourth round is played in October, when we will find out the final two automatic qualifiers, along with the two interconfederation playoff contenders.

South America and Oceania: Qualification complete.

Africa (CAF)
9 auto + 1 enters playoff

There were 54 FIFA-affiliated nations in the draw. However, Eritrea subsequently withdrew.

Round 1: The teams are in eight groups of six nations, and one group of five (with Eritrea removed).

The nine group winners qualify for the World Cup.

This stage began in November 2023 and will be completed with two rounds to be played in October.

QUALIFIED (4/9): Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria

How teams can qualify as the group stage ends this week

NB: To determine the best second-place teams, the results of the team to finish sixth in the six-team groups are removed.

SUNDAY

Group A: EGYPT (23) qualified with a 3-0 win over rock-bottom Djibouti (1) on Wednesday, on the back of two goals from Mohamed Salah. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso (18) sealed second place in the group with a 1-0 victory vs. Sierra Leone (12) but must wait to see if they go onto round two.

Group E: MOROCCO (21) have qualified. Niger (12) hold second place, three points ahead of Zambia (9); the two teams meet in Zambia on Sunday — Niger need a point to claim second, Zambia must get a victory. However, Niger may need to play to win to have enough points to be one of the best runners-up.

Group I: Ghana (22) are in the box seat for qualification after a 5-0 win on Wednesday in Central African Republic (5). Madagascar (19) are three points behind after defeating Comoros 2-1, and are well positioned to be one the best second-placed teams. Ghana need a point at home to Comoros on Sunday, though they are pretty much there as their goal difference is eight better than that of Madagascar.

MONDAY

Group D: Cape Verde Islands (20) missed the chance to book their place when they fought back for a 3-3 draw in Libya (15) on Wednesday. But Cape Verde have another opportunity to secure a debut World Cup appearance by winning at home to Eswatini (3) on Monday (it will also be confirmed regardless if Cameroon draw or lose). If Cape Verde do not win, they would be overtaken by Cameroon (18) if they were to beat Angola (11). While Libya have a mathematical chance of finishing second (if Cameroon lose and Libya win in Mauritius), Libya’s goal difference is 10 worse so, in reality, their opportunity has gone. Cameroon have the second-best record of the second-placed teams.

Group H: TUNISIA (25) have qualified. It’s now a battle for second, which was blown wide open by Liberia (14) beating Namibia (15) 3-1 on Thursday. Namibia remain in the box seat, but have to travel to Tunisia on Monday needing a win to be certain of second. However, as it stands Namibia have the worst record of all second-placed teams. If Namibia draw or lose, Liberia will move into second place with a victory in Equatorial Guinea (10). Technically, Malawi and Equatorial Guinea can still qualify as they didn’t play each other on Thursday. Equatorial Guinea failed to fly due to “travel complications,” and if Malawi are handed a default win they can still make second with a victory over São Tomé and Príncipe if Namibia lose and Liberia draw or lose.

TUESDAY

Group B: Qualification is in Senegal’s (21) hands ahead of a favorable fixture at home to Mauritania (7) on Tuesday, and victory will guarantee a place in the finals. Second-placed DR Congo (19) host Sudan (13) and must win while hoping Senegal lose to take first place. DR Congo are just inside the top four for the best runners-up, so also need a victory to rubber-stamp a playoff. Only those two countries are in contention.

Group C: The group was blown wide open after South Africa (15, +3) saw their 2-0 victory over Lesotho (9) become a 3-0 defeat because they fielded an ineligible player. The punishment dropped South Africa into second place behind Benin (17, +5). A 1-0 win for Benin 1-0 in Rwanda (11) on Friday ended the home side’s challenge, and means Benin will qualify for the World Cup if they win in Nigeria (14) on Tuesday. South Africa could only draw 0-0 in Zimbabwe, meaning they have taken just one point from their two games against the bottom country — just as damaging as the points deduction.

If Benin draw, that will be enough if South Africa draw or lose at home to Rwanda. If Benin draw and South Africa win, it will come down to group goal difference, and that will be level if South Africa win by two goals. If South Africa win 2-0 and Benin draw 2-2, records would be identical and South Africa would qualify on head to head, having won both meetings.

So, if South Africa win by one goal they have to hope Benin lose. If South Africa win by two goals and Benin draw that should be enough, as Benin would need to be involved in a score draw of at least 3-3. If South Africa win by three or more goals and Benin draw, South Africa qualify as group winners.

But the most complicated of groups has another complication: Nigeria are very much still in the picture and if they beat Benin the two teams will have 17 points; if South Africa win, Nigeria and Benin are level for second; if South Africa draw or lose, Nigeria and Benin are level for first. If Nigeria win by one goal, the two teams are guaranteed to have identical records, so it then goes to head to head. If Nigeria win 1-0, Benin finish higher; If Nigeria win 2-1 (same score as the first meeting), positions will be decided on red and yellow cards; If Nigeria win 3-2 or higher scoring, Nigeria finish higher. If Nigeria win by two or more goals, they finish higher.

And there’s a twist. If Nigeria win 2-1, and disciplinary record is identical, FIFA will hold a random draw to determine their positions in the table. Going into the final game, Benin have 14 yellows, Nigeria have 13, with no red cards for either.

Group F: Ivory Coast (23) head into Tuesday’s final game at home to Kenya (12) knowing a victory will send them to the World Cup. Any shock slipup opens the door for Gabon (22), who can then top the group if they win at home to Burundi (10). Gabon are guaranteed to finish no lower than second and should be sure of a playoff route with the best record of all teams.

Group G: ALGERIA (22) qualified with a 3-0 win over Somalia (1) on Thursday. The race for second has been all but sealed too, as Mozambique (15, -4) losing 2-1 to Guinea means they need a win and a goal-difference swing of 10 to overtake Uganda (18, +6). On Tuesday, it’s Somalia vs. Mozambique and Algeria vs. Uganda — so, Uganda do have a tough game, and Mozambique play a team who have conceded 19 goals, but it’s still highly improbable. However, as it stands Uganda are outside the top four runners-up, so need a positive result in Algeria to increase their points.

Current ranking of second-placed teams:

1 Gabon — Played 7, Points 16 (GD +4)
2 Cameroon — 7, 14 (+9)
3 Madagascar — 7, 13 (+3)
4 DR Congo — 7, 13 (+4)
———-
5 Burkina Faso — 7, 12 (+4)
6 Uganda — 7, 12 (+3)
7 Niger — 7, 12 (0)
8 South Africa — 7, 11 (+1)
9 Namibia — 7, 9 (+1)

– Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Latest tables

Round 2: The four best runners-up will enter playoffs (two semifinals and a final) to decide which one country will go to the interconfederation playoffs. This stage will be played in November 2025.

Europe (UEFA)
12 auto + 4 via confederation playoff

There are 55 European nations, although 54 will compete as Russia remain suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine.

There are 12 groups of four or five teams, playing home and away matches. The group stage qualifying process continues with double-headers in October, and it’s then completed in November.

The 12 group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, with the 12 runners-up entering the playoff system.

Qualifying began in March 2025 when most of the European teams who were not in UEFA Nations League (UNL) action played their first matches.

QUALIFIED (0/12):

What can be decided in October?

The teams that were in the UNL finals only played their first games in September so we’re still a way off from discovering the qualifiers — but a few could come in October.

SATURDAY & TUESDAY

Group E: Spain (9) are top with a 100% record but after Saturday’s results they cannot qualify in October. On Tuesday, Spain are at home to Bulgaria (0) and nearest-challengers Turkey (6) host Georgia (3). Spain already have a goal difference advantage of 11 over Turkey, so it’s hard to see them missing out from here.

Group F: Portugal (9) have won all three matches and are close to qualification. If Portugal win at home to Hungary (4) on Tuesday, they will be over the line as long as Armenia (3) draw or lose in Republic of Ireland (1). It’s a close battle for the runners-up place.

Group I: Norway (18) are in control ahead of Italy (12) and Israel (9). Norway’s vastly superior goal difference over Italy (+26 vs. +7) means a win at home to Estonia (3) in November should effectively do the job, even if Italy win at home to Israel and away to Moldova (0). On the final day, it’s Italy vs. Norway, so Italy (who have one game in hand) know they must go all out for goals in their next two games, but it’s looking like they will be in the playoffs.

Group K: England (15) have dominated the group, winning all five matches without conceding a goal. After Serbia (7) lost 1-0 at home to Albania (11) on Saturday, England will qualify with a win in Latvia (5) on Tuesday. Serbia and Albania both play England in November, and as Albania’s other game is vs. Andorra (1) it’s odds-on they finish second and Serbia won’t be at the finals.

SUNDAY

Group C: Denmark (7) and Scotland (7) have control of the group, and Greece (3) will be out of contention on Sunday if they lose away to the Danes and Scotland win at home to Belarus (0). If that does happen, the group will be set up for a decider between Scotland and Denmark in Glasgow on Nov. 18.

Group G: Netherlands (13) sit top ahead of Poland (10), with Finland (10) having an outside chance. Poland do still have to host Netherlands on Nov. 14, but their goal difference is 11 worse right now — so the Dutch know they can afford to lose that and as long as they win at home to Finland on Sunday and Lithuania (3) on Nov.17 they’ll still top the group.

Group H: No team can book their place in October but it’s advantage Austria (15) after Bosnia & Herzegovina (13) drew 2-2 in Cyprus (5). Austria have a game in hand, too, so two wins from games against Romania (7) on Sunday, then Bosnia and Cyprus next month, gets them over the line. Romania still have hope of finishing second, as they have played a game fewer, with a trip to Bosnia on Nov. 15.

Group L: Croatia and Czechia are locked on 13 points and after the game between the teams finished 0-0 on Thursday it’s advantage Croatia, who have a game in hand. Faroe Islands (9) have a chance to get into the battle for second if they can win at home to Czechia on Sunday, while Croatia entertain Gibraltar (0).

MONDAY

Group A: An incredibly tight picture with Germany (6, +4), Northern Ireland (6, +2) and Slovakia (6, +1) level on points at the halfway stage. On Monday, Northern Ireland host Germany and that result will help map out the rest of the group.

Group B: Switzerland (9) are in a very strong position having won all three games. If the Swiss win in Slovenia (2) on Monday, they will punch their ticket if second-placed Kosovo (4) draw or lose in Sweden (1). That’s a game Sweden need to win if they are to get firmly back into contention for a playoff place.

Group D: France (9) have picked up three wins, with Ukraine (4) in second. France can qualify on Monday with a victory in Iceland (3), but only if Ukraine draw or lose to Azerbaijan (1).

Group J: A goalless draw between the top two, Belgium (11, played five) and North Macedonia (12, played six), has given this group new life, with Wales (10, played five) very much in contention. On Monday, it’s Wales vs. Belgium, which will have a major influence on the final outcome for qualification.

– Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Tables

PLAYOFFS

The final four places at the World Cup will be determined via the UEFA playoffs, to be played in March 2026. There is no path to the World Cup through FIFA’s interconfederation playoffs.

The UEFA playoffs involve 16 teams: the 12 group stage runners-up plus the four best-ranked group winners from the UNL, who did not finish in the top two in World Cup qualifying. This creates four routes, each with four teams featuring a one-legged semifinal and a final for a place at the World Cup.

The priority order for the four World Cup playoff places through the UNL is: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, England, Norway, Wales, Czechia, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova, San Marino.

Of the 14 teams to win their UNL groups, 10 of those were in Pot 1 or 2 for the World Cup qualifying draw — so on ranking would finish in the top two of their group. If that comes to pass, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova and San Marino would get a playoff place. However, that now appears unlikely with Romania and Sweden struggling to finish in the top two.

Seeding:
Pot 1: Four World Cup qualifying group runners-up with the best FIFA World Ranking
Pot 2: As above, teams fifth to eighth in the FIFA World Ranking list order
Pot 3: As above, teams ninth to 12th in the FIFA World Ranking list order
Pot 4: UEFA Nations League teams

Semifinals:
Pot 1 vs. Pot 4
Pot 2 vs. Pot 3

North America, Central America, Caribbean (Concacaf)
3 auto + 2 enter playoff

Usually, Concacaf would have six automatic places in qualifying — but for the 2026 finals three of the six are taken up by the hosts. That leaves three places to be won, plus two spots in the interconfederation playoff path.

Concacaf saw 32 nations enter the race to make the finals.

Round 1: The four lowest-ranked Concacaf nations battled it out in two-legged ties. Anguilla and British Virgin Islands eliminated Turks and Caicos Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands respectively, both on penalties.

Round 2: The top 28-ranked nations, plus the two winners from Round 1, were drawn into six groups of five teams. Teams played each other only once, rather than home and away. This stage was played in two blocks, in June 2024 and June 2025.

The six group winners and six group runners-up moved on to Round 3.

Advanced: Bermuda, Costa Rica, Curaçao, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

Round 3: The 12 remaining teams were drawn into three groups of four teams.

This phase started in September and will be completed in October and November.

The group winners will qualify for the World Cup, with the two runners-up with the best record going on to take part in the interconfederation playoffs.

– Check out the fixtures and results | Latest tables

QUALIFIED (0/3):

What can be decided in October?

Group A: Suriname (5) sit in first place, but a 1-1 draw at home to Guatemala (2) on Friday could be damaging. Panama (5) moved level at the top by beating El Salvador (3) 1-0. On Tuesday, it’s Panama vs. Suriname as the top two meet, and El Salvador vs Guatemala.

Group B: Curaçao’s (7) 2-0 win over Jamaica (6) on Friday put them in the box seat for a first-ever World Cup appearance. On Tuesday, Curaçao are to home to Trinidad and Tobago (4), who can’t afford to lose if they are to stay in contention for an automatic place. The other game sees Jamaica host Bermuda (0).

Group C: Haiti (5) moved top of the group on Thursday with a 3-0 win in Nicaragua (1), while Honduras (5) and Costa Rica (3) played out a goalless draw. It’s still too close to call, and on Monday it’s Honduras vs. Haiti, the top two facing off, and Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua.

Asia (AFC)
8 auto + 1 enters playoff

This is by some distance the most complicated route to the World Cup, with a layered qualifying process featuring a dual group stage to find the eight automatic qualifiers. But the main part will be done and dusted in June.

Round 1: The 20 lowest-ranked nations played two-legged ties in October 2023. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore and Yemen advanced.

Round 2: Those 10 winners joined the 26 best-ranked nations. The 36 teams were drawn into nine groups of four teams, with the top two nations going through to Round 3. This stage began in November 2023 and was completed in June 2024.

– Final tables

Advanced: Australia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan

Round 3: We were left with 18 nations, drawn into three groups of six teams. Matches began in September 2024 and the round is completed on Tuesday.

The group winners and runners-up took the first six places at the 2026 World Cup and their campaign is complete.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup on March 20, followed by Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Australia.

– Check out the results | Final tables

Round 4: The six teams in this stage were drawn into two groups of three. They will play each other once, so two matches in total per team, in one host country in October.

QUALIFIED (6/8): Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia

What can be decided in October?

We will find out the final two automatic qualifiers, plus the teams that will battle it out for a playoff in round five.

Group A: Qatar (hosts), United Arab Emirates, Oman

Wednesday: Oman 0-0 Qatar
Saturday: United Arab Emirates 2-1 Oman
Tuesday: Qatar vs. United Arab Emirates

UAE’s late comeback victory over Oman puts them in a strong position, but they do meet hosts Qatar in the final match on Tuesday. Here’s what that fixture can mean.

UAE win: UAE qualify for the World Cup, and the scoreline will then determine who finishes second.

If UAE win 1-0 or by two or more goals, Oman will be second and in the playoff.
If UAE win 2-1, second place will be decided between Oman and Qatar on yellow and red cards. Oman have four yellows to Qatar’s two. If cards are the same, there will be a random draw for the playoff place.
If UAE win 3-2 or higher scoring, Qatar will be second and in the playoff.

If Qatar vs. UAE is a draw: UAE qualify, and Qatar are in the playoff.

If Qatar win: Qatar qualify, and UAE are in the playoff.

Group B: Saudi Arabia (hosts), Iraq, Indonesia

Wednesday: Indonesia 2-3 Saudi Arabia
Saturday: Iraq 1-0 Indonesia
Tuesday: Saudi Arabia vs. Iraq

Indonesia have been eliminated, so it’s a straight shootout in Tuesday’s game.

If Saudi Arabia win or draw: Saudi Arabia qualify for the World Cup with Iraq in the playoff

If Iraq win: Iraq qualify for the World Cup with Saudi Arabia in the playoff

Round 5: A two-legged tie in November 2025 to earn the place in the interconfederation playoffs.

South America (CONMEBOL)
6 auto + 1 enters playoff

As in recent qualifying competitions, all 10 nations played each other home and away. The top six nations qualified directly to the finals. The seventh-placed team goes into the interconfederation playoffs in March.

The first qualifiers took place in September 2023, with the league phase completed in September 2025.

QUALIFIED (6/6): Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay

Bolivia are in the interconfederation playoffs.

– Check out the results | Final table

Oceania (OFC)
1 auto + 1 enters playoff

All 11 members of the OFC region took part.

Round 1: The four lowest-ranked nations played a knockout format (two semis and a final) in Samoa in September 2024.

American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga were in this round. Samoa beat Tonga 2-1 in the final to advance.

Round 2: Samoa and the seven top-ranked nations were drawn into two groups of four nations, with matches played in October and November 2024. Games were held in Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

The top two countries in each group — New Caledonia, Tahiti, New Zealand and Fiji — went on to Round 3.

– Check out the results here | Final tables

Round 3: The four remaining countries then played a one-legged knockout format (two semis and a final) in New Zealand in March 2025.

Semifinals, March 21
New Caledonia 3-0 Tahiti
New Zealand 7-0 Fiji

Final, March 24
New Caledonia 0-3 New Zealand

QUALIFIED (1/1): New Zealand

As winners of the final, New Zealand qualified for the World Cup, with losers New Caledonia moving onto the interconfederation playoffs.

Interconfederation playoffs (2 places)

The playoffs, to be held in March 2026, will determine the final two qualifiers.

Six countries will take part. Each of the five confederations (apart from UEFA) will provide one country. The host confederation (so for this edition Concacaf) receives a second slot.

1 Africa
1 Asia
2 Concacaf
1 Oceania (New Caledonia)
1 South America (Bolivia)

The two nations with the best FIFA World Ranking will be seeded and go straight into one of the two finals.

The four other countries will be drawn to play a semifinal, feeding through to play a seed for one of the two places at the World Cup.

The playoffs are due to be held in one of the World Cup host nations as a test event.