2026 FIFA World Cup Teams: List of Qualified Teams & Qualification Process

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have 48 teams, making it the biggest tournament in history. Right now, three teams have qualified. The other 45 spots are still open. Teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania are competing to get in.

The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. All 48 teams will play in the final round after the qualifiers. The group stage will have 12 groups of four teams each.

This will be the first time three nations host the World Cup together. Canada, Mexico, and the United States will share hosting duties. Matches will take place in 16 cities across North America.

Before the World Cup, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will also take place in the United States. It will feature 32 club teams from around the world. The tournament will run from June 14 to July 13, 2025.

How Many Teams Will Play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

For the first time, 48 teams will play in the World Cup. This is a big jump from the 32-team format used before. More teams now have a chance to compete.

Here’s how the spots are divided among the continents:

• Asia (AFC) – 8 direct spots + 1 playoff spot
• Africa (CAF) – 9 direct spots + 1 playoff spot
• Europe (UEFA) – 16 direct spots
• North & Central America (CONCACAF) – 6 direct spots + 2 playoff spots
• South America (CONMEBOL) – 6 direct spots + 1 playoff spot
• Oceania (OFC) – 1 direct spot + 1 playoff spot

The last two teams will qualify through the Intercontinental playoffs.

2026 FIFA World Cup Teams (Qualified)

As host nations, Canada, Mexico, and the United States have automatically qualified. The rest of the teams will be determined through qualification tournaments.

Here are the teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup:

Team	Qualification Method	FIFA Ranking	Best WC Performance
United States	Host	16	Third place (1930)
Mexico	Host	19	Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
Canada	Host	31	Group Stage (1986, 2022)

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification Process

The qualification process is currently underway, with teams competing in different confederations to secure a spot.

Europe (UEFA) – 16 Teams

• Total Teams: 54
• Spots Available: 16
• Start Date: March 21, 2025
• End Date: March 31, 2026

South America (CONMEBOL) – 6 Teams

• Total Teams: 10
• Spots Available: 6
• Start Date: September 7, 2023
• End Date: September 2025

North & Central America (CONCACAF) – 6 Teams

• Total Teams: 32
• Spots Available: 6
• Start Date: March 22, 2024
• End Date: November 2025

Africa (CAF) – 9 Teams

• Total Teams: 53
• Spots Available: 9
• Start Date: November 15, 2023
• End Date: November 2025

Asia (AFC) – 8 Teams

• Total Teams: 47
• Spots Available: 8
• Start Date: October 12, 2023
• End Date: September 2025

Oceania (OFC) – 1 Team

• Total Teams: 11
• Spots Available: 1
• Start Date: September 6, 2024
• End Date: March 24, 2025

How Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage Work?

The group stage has also been expanded. Instead of the traditional 16 groups of three, FIFA has decided to use a 12-group format with four teams in each group.

• 12 groups of 4 teams
• Top two teams from each group qualify
• Best eight third-placed teams also advance
• A total of 104 matches will be played

This format guarantees every team plays at least three matches, making the tournament more exciting.

Why Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup Special?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historic for several reasons:

1. Largest World Cup Ever – With 48 teams, this will be the biggest edition ever.
2. First-Ever Three-Host Format – Canada, Mexico, and the USA will share hosting duties.
3. More Nations, More Opportunities – The expanded format allows more teams from smaller nations to compete.
4. More Matches – A total of 104 games will be played, giving fans more action to enjoy.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a landmark event. With 48 teams competing in 16 cities, this will be football’s biggest tournament yet.

As the qualification process continues, more teams will secure their places in the final tournament.

Stay updated on the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification results, team announcements, and match fixtures as we get closer to kick-off.