What is the current status of the qualification process for the 2026 World Cup?

As of now, 28 teams have secured their places in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There are 20 spots remaining, which will be determined in the upcoming continental qualifiers.

Which major European teams are close to securing their qualification?

Major European teams such as France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Norway, and Spain are close to securing their qualification in November.

What are the implications of the new qualification system for the World Cup?

The new qualification system allows for broader representation of federations, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, thus enhancing global representation in the tournament.

How many teams from Africa have qualified, and what is the situation for the final spot?

Nine teams from Africa have qualified for the World Cup. The tenth spot will be determined through a playoff involving Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What is the significance of the upcoming matches in November for qualification?

The matches in November are crucial as they will determine several more teams that qualify for the 2026 World Cup, making it a pivotal time in the qualification process.

Which teams from Asia are competing for the last qualifying spot?

Iraq and the UAE are competing for the last Asian qualifying spot for the global playoff after Qatar and Saudi Arabia qualified directly.

The Qualification Race for the 2026 World Cup Heats Up.. Major European Teams on the Verge of Securing Their Spots in November

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins, which will be held for the first time in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the participation of 48 teams, competition intensifies across different continents to secure the remaining spots in the qualifying rounds.

So far, 28 teams have officially secured their places in the tournament, while 20 spots remain to be determined in the upcoming rounds of the continental qualifiers, according to the new system that allows for broader representation of federations.

Europe: The Big Teams Are Close to Securing Qualification

After England secured early qualification from the European continent, attention turns to November, which may see several major teams join the “Three Lions.”

France will qualify on November 13 if they win against Ukraine.

Switzerland needs to win against Sweden on November 15, along with Kosovo stumbling against Slovenia, or at least draw with Kosovo losing.

Belgium secures qualification on the same day if they outperform Kazakhstan.

The Netherlands will be among the qualifiers on November 14 if they win against Poland.

Austria qualifies on November 15 if they win against Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina does not win against Romania.

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, will reach the finals on November 13 by winning against the Republic of Ireland, or by drawing provided Hungary stumbles against Armenia.

Norway may secure their qualification on the same date if they win against Estonia and Italy fails to win against Moldova.

Spain will guarantee qualification on November 15 if they win against Georgia and Turkey draws or loses against Hungary.

North America, Central America, and the Caribbean: The Decision Approaches

After Honduras and Jamaica stumbled in October, attention turns to the November round to secure the first spots:

Honduras qualifies on November 13 if they win against Nicaragua and Costa Rica draws with Haiti.

Jamaica secures their spot by winning against Trinidad and Tobago and Curaçao losing to Bermuda.

Africa: 9 Teams Qualify and the Playoff Awaits the Tenth

The Moroccan team has dominated the African qualifiers, alongside the qualification of Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and South Africa.

The African playoff will bring together Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for one qualifying spot in the global playoff.

Asia: Anticipated Arab Playoff Between Iraq and the UAE

After Qatar and Saudi Arabia qualified directly for the World Cup on October 14, Iraq and the UAE are competing for the last Asian qualifying spot for the global playoff through two-legged matches.

Oceania and South America: Hope in the Playoff

Despite losing to New Zealand in the Oceania qualifying final, New Caledonia still has a chance to qualify through the global playoff.

Meanwhile, Bolivia aims to be the seventh qualifier from South America after the six direct spots are filled, as they will enter the playoff alongside New Caledonia and four teams from other continents.

With this rapid pace of qualifiers across continents, November is expected to witness one of the hottest weeks in the race for the 2026 World Cup, before the list of participating teams in the largest edition in the tournament's history is finalized.