Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

By Canadian Press on October 9, 2025.

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

On Thursday, Algeria become the fourth African country to qualify. A day earlier, Egypt secured its place.

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.

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

Morocco

Tunisia

Asia

Australia

Iran

Japan

Jordan

South Korea

Uzbekistan

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