The lineup for the first 48-team FIFA World Cup now stands complete. A qualifying process that launched nearly three years ago concludes with the final play-offs on Tuesday evening. Debutants Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan join the field, alongside co-hosts United States, Canada, and Mexico, who advance automatically. England and Scotland secure spots for the home nations, while Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland exit in play-off defeats.
Europe: 16 Teams Advance
Qualified teams: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic.
Tuesday’s Key Results
Italy suffers another heartbreak, missing a third straight World Cup after a penalty shoot-out loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sweden secures qualification despite finishing last in their group, thanks to Nations League performance. Czech Republic triumphs in both play-off semi-final and final via penalties. Turkey returns to the World Cup after 24 years, last appearing in the 2002 semi-finals.
Qualifying Highlights
Scotland and Norway earn their first men’s World Cup berths since 1998, alongside Europe’s powerhouses. Austria stands as the only other European nation absent from the 2022 Qatar tournament to qualify directly.
Americas: 6 Teams Qualify
Qualified teams: Curacao, Panama, Haiti (plus co-hosts USA, Canada, Mexico).
Tuesday’s Key Results
Jamaica’s hopes of a first World Cup since 1998 end with an extra-time goal conceded to Congo DR.
Qualifying Highlights
Tournament expansion to 48 teams, combined with automatic host qualification, opens doors. Curacao, Panama, and Haiti seize opportunities despite playing no home games due to conflicts.
Africa: 10 Teams Advance
Qualified teams: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Congo DR.
Tuesday’s Key Results
Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe scores in the 100th minute to give Congo DR a 1-0 victory over Jamaica. Tuanzebe taps in from close range after a failed clearance on a corner, following two disallowed goals in normal time. This marks Congo DR’s first appearance since 1974 as Zaire.
Qualifying Highlights
Cape Verde, with just 600,000 inhabitants, becomes the second-smallest nation to qualify, edging out Cameroon. Nigeria fails to advance.
Asia: 9 Teams Qualify
Qualified teams: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq.
Tuesday’s Key Results
Iraq clinches the final spot with a 2-1 play-off win over Bolivia. Luton Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi heads them ahead in the 10th minute, Moises Paniagua equalizes before halftime, but Aymen Hussein’s early second-half goal secures Iraq’s first finals since 1986.
Qualifying Highlights
Iran’s participation faces uncertainty amid ongoing conflict with the United States, with all group games scheduled in the US. The Iranian Football Federation president states the team will not travel, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino affirms, “Iran will be at the FIFA World Cup.”
South America: 6 Teams Advance
Qualified teams: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay.
Tuesday’s Key Results
Bolivia falls short in the play-off final after beating Suriname, losing to Iraq and missing a first World Cup since 1994.
Qualifying Highlights
Defending champions Argentina qualify first, followed by surprise runners-up Ecuador. Brazil advances from fifth, joined by Colombia, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
Oceania: 1 Team Qualifies
New Zealand benefits from the expanded format, securing the region’s sole automatic spot without intercontinental play-offs.
2026 World Cup Group Draw
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
