2026 World Cup Qualifying Race: Which Nations Have Secured Their Spots and Who's Still in Contention?

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 (15/45): Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia

What can be decided in October?

Europe and Concacaf: Qualifying doesn't end until November, but we could see the first few 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.

World Cup groups - Africa

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.

Group A: Egypt need a maximum of two points from their final two matches, in rock-bottom Djibouti (1) on Wednesday and at home to Guinea-Bissau (10) on Sunday. Burkina Faso (15) are under pressure for second place from Sierra Leone (12) -- and it's third vs. second on Wednesday. Guinea-Bissau could yet stay in contention if they beat Ethiopia (6) and Burkina Faso lose to Sierra Leone. Egypt will qualify on Matchday 9 with a win over Djibouti, or if Burkina Faso fail to win in Sierra Leone.

Group B: Qualification is in Senegal's (18) hands ahead of favorable fixtures in South Sudan (4) on Friday and at home to Mauritania (6) on Tuesday, and two wins will guarantee a place in the finals. DR Congo (16) must travel to Togo (7) and host Sudan (12) and hope Senegal slip up. Sudan must win both games (vs. Mauritania and DR Congo) to have a chance at second, but their hopes will be over if DR Congo beat Togo on Friday. Senegal will qualify on Matchday 9 with a win over South Sudan if DR Congo fail to beat Togo.

Group C: The group has been blown wide open after South Africa (14, +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 (14, +4) on goal difference -- and now any one of four nations could still win the group. On Friday, it's Rwanda (11) vs. Benin and Zimbabwe (1) vs. South Africa. Nigeria (11) cannot be ruled out, playing away in Lesotho on Friday before hosting Benin on Tuesday. On the final day it's also South Africa vs. Rwanda, meaning the top two places are completely up for grabs. No team can qualify on Matchday 9.

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.

Group E: MOROCCO (21) have qualified. Tanzania (10) are just ahead of Niger (9) for second -- but Niger have a game in hand. Final rounds: Tanzania vs. Zambia (6), Niger vs. Congo (1); Zambia vs. Niger. Second place can be decided on Matchday 9 on Wednesday if Tanzania beat Zambia and Niger lose to Congo.

Group F: Ivory Coast (20) will qualify if they beat the bottom two in October: They are in Seychelles (0) on Friday and at home to Kenya (9) on Tuesday. Any shock slipup opens the door for Gabon (19), who take on a trip to Gambia (10) and host Burundi (10). Ivory Coast will qualify on Matchday 9 if they win in Seychelles and Gabon, who are guaranteed to finish no lower than second, lose to Gambia.

Group G: Algeria (19) sit top ahead of Mozambique (15) and Uganda (15). The final group game on Tuesday is Algeria vs. Uganda. However, Algeria will already have sealed qualification if they have won in Somalia (1), who have lost six of their seven matches, on Thursday. Algeria can also qualify on Matchday 9 with a draw if Uganda and Mozambique fail to win, or with a defeat if Uganda and Mozambique lose. It's very tight for second, but Mozambique have to be slight favorites with a superior goal difference and Uganda in Algeria on the final day.

Group H: TUNISIA (22) have qualified. It's now a battle for second, with Namibia (15) needing one win from tough games in Liberia (11) on Thursday and Tunisia on Monday. If Liberia beat Namibia, they are right back in contention ahead of a trip to Equatorial Guinea (10). Malawi (10) and Equatorial Guinea cannot be ruled out if it all goes wrong for Namibia. Namibia will secure second place on Matchday 9 with a win over Liberia, or with a draw if Malawi vs. Equatorial Guinea is also a draw.

Group I: Ghana (19) are in the box seat, but there's lots of football to be played. Madagascar (16) are only three points behind with Comoros (15) still in contention too. It's Comoros vs. Madagascar on Wednesday, followed by Ghana vs. Comoros on Sunday. Mali (12) have a small chance of second as they play rock-bottom Chad (1) before hosting Madagascar -- but they are out if Madagascar beat Comoros. Ghana will qualify on Matchday 9 with a win in Central African Republic (5) if Madagascar draw or lose vs. Comoros.

- 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.

World Cup groups - UEFA

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.

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.

Group A: Slovakia (6) are top with a 100% record after a shock win over Germany (3). The two teams meet again on the final matchday on Nov. 17. Northern Ireland (3) are also in contention. While Slovakia could mathematically qualify in October, it would require Germany failing to win at home to Luxembourg.

Group B: Switzerland (6) are in a good position having won both games. With two fixtures to play in October, they could be one of the first to qualify. If the Swiss win in Sweden (1) and Slovenia (1), they will punch their ticket if second-placed Kosovo (3) pick up no more than two points from a home game vs. Slovenia and a trip to Sweden.

Group C: A tight group between Denmark (4), Scotland (4) and Greece (3), with Belarus (0) completing the set. In October, it's Scotland vs. Greece and Denmark vs. Greece.

Group D: France (6) have picked up two wins, with Iceland (3) in second. France can qualify in October with victories at home to Azerbaijan (1) and in Iceland, as long as Iceland do not win at home to Ukraine (1), and Ukraine don't get two victories.

Group E: Spain (6) are top with a 100% record. They play home games against Georgia (3) and Bulgaria (0) in October, and six points will take them to the World Cup if Turkey (3) fail to win in Bulgaria and Georgia vs. Turkey (3) is a draw.

Group F: Portugal (6) have won both matches and are close to qualification. If Portugal win at home to Republic of Ireland (1) and Hungary (1), they will be over the line as long as Armenia fail to get a victory in both Hungary and Ireland.

Group G: The first of the five-team groups with Netherlands (10) top, with a game in hand, ahead of Poland (10) and Finland (7), and no team can qualify in October. Netherlands go to Malta (2) and then host Finland. Poland have only one game, in Lithuania (3).

Group H: Again, no team can book their place in October with Bosnia & Herzegovina (12) and Austria (12) level. Bosnia go to Cyprus (4), while Austria (who have played one game fewer) have fixtures at home to San Marino (0) and in Romania (7).

Group I: Norway (15) are in control ahead of Italy (9) and Israel (9). Norway's vastly superior goal difference over Italy (+21 vs. +5) means wins at home to Israel in October and Estonia (3) in November should effectively do the job, even if Italy win in Estonia, at home to Israel and away to Moldova (0). On the final day, it's Italy vs. Norway, so Italy (who have a game in hand) know they must go all out for goals this month.

Group J: A very close group between North Macedonia (11), Belgium (10) and Wales (10) -- though Belgium have played a game fewer. In October, it's Belgium vs. North Macedonia and Wales vs. Belgium, two games which will have a major influence on the final outcome.

Group K: England (15) have dominated the group, winning all five matches without conceding a goal. They have one game in October, away in Latvia (4). They will qualify with a win if Serbia fail to beat either Albania (8) or Andorra (0). A draw cannot see England over the line this month.

Group L: Croatia and Czechia are locked on 12 points and will battle it out for the top two spots, which cannot be decided this month. October's doubleheader begins with Czechia hosting Croatia, and it looks to be a must-win game for the home team as they've played one more match. Croatia also entertain Gibraltar (0).

- 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: World Cup qualifying group runners-up with the best four records
Pot 2: As above, teams fifth to eighth
Pot 3: As above, teams ninth to 12th
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

What can be decided in October?

Group A: Suriname (4) sit in first place, but it's a tight group. In October, it's Suriname vs. Guatemala (1), El Salvador (3) vs. Panama (2); and then Panama vs. Suriname, El Salvador vs Guatemala. The group may look very different heading into November.

Group B: Jamaica (6) are in control of the group ahead of Curaçao (4). Jamaica will qualify in October if they win in Curaçao and at home to Bermuda (0), and Curaçao fail to beat Trinidad and Tobago (1).

Group C: Honduras (4) sit in first, but any of the four teams could yet top this group. In October, it's Nicaragua (1) vs. Haiti (2), Honduras vs. Costa Rica (2); and then Honduras vs. Haiti, 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.

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 5.

Group A: Qatar (hosts), United Arab Emirates, Oman
Group B: Saudi Arabia (hosts), Iraq, Indonesia

One game from each group will be played on Wednesday, Saturday and Tuesday.

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.

Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay qualified automatically.

Bolivia are in the interconfederation playoffs.

- Check out the results | Final table