With the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers window active, five new countries have confirmed their slots for the upcoming football World Cup set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
28 countries have secured qualification for the expanded 48-team tournament thus far.
Canada, Mexico and the United States of America were automatically qualified for the upcoming World Cup by virtue of being the hosts. Japan became the first qualified team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, followed by New Zealand and then Iran.
Qatar, England, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal became the latest few countries to confirm their World Cup qualification on Tuesday. England became the first team from Europe to book their spot.
The latest entrants in the World Cup also include Cape Verde, a small African island with a population of less than 6 lakh, which has qualified for their maiden World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualified Countries
Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
Asia (AFC): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
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8 teams qualify automatically; one will enter the playoffs between confederations
Africa (CAF): Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
9 teams qualify automatically; one will enter the playoffs between confederations
28/48 ✅@Aramco | #WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/eaksBnrBYM
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 14, 2025
South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
6 teams qualify automatically; one (Bolivia) will enter the playoffs between confederations
Oceania (OFC): New Zealand
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1 team qualify automatically; one will enter the playoffs between confederations
Europe (UEFA): England
12 teams qualify automatically; 4 qualify via UEFA’s playoffs
Which big teams failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Among the big nations that failed to qualify for the 2026 event are Peru, Chile and Venezuela. Among Asian countries, China and Indonesia are also out of the qualification race. Indonesia will be disappointed with their performance in the Qualifiers under Dutch coach Patrick Kluivert. India, once again, were not the top contender to book their slot from the AFC Confederation and a string of poor performances saw them getting eliminated from the race of 2026 World Cup.
