North America is host of the largest World Cup in history in 2026, with more nations taking part in football than ever before.
Qualifying has now started in all member associations and the trip will be tedious for many. The process started for some until October 2023.
The expanded tournament opens up opportunities for an even greater representation worldwide, whereby every federation at the World Cup offers more guaranteed places than ever.
With the majority of the qualification campaigns that have been completed by the end of the year, you will find an overview of the nations that have booked their place at the 2026 World Cup.
nation | Date qualified |
|---|---|
USA | host |
Canada | host |
Mexico | host |
Japan | March 20, 2025 |
For the first time in the history of the World Cup, 48 teams will take part in the tournament. From 1998 to 2022 the World Cup was a 32-team tournament.
FIFA initially planned for its extended competition by 16 groups of three teams, but the thrill that the four-team groups in Qatar delivered in Qatar will include group level 2026, which will include 12 groups of four and 32 teams to achieve the knockouts.
It is already talking about FIFA’s wish to make the World Cup a 64-nation tournament by 2030, which means that 2026 can be the only competition of 48 teams.
12 of the 22 World Championships were won by a European nation, and the UEFA due to the size of the Federation and earlier results have the most direct slots for the 2026 World Cup.
Qualifying in Europe started in March 2025 and will only be completed a few months before the tournament began until March 2026. 16 nations are guaranteed in North America, with the 12 group winners being accompanied by four play-off winners.
The remaining ten World Cup victories were challenged by three South American nations: Brazil, owner of Argentina and Uruguay.
Only ten teams are involved in Conmebol’s qualifications, but at least six will compete at the 2026 World Cup. An intercontinental play-off spot is also open.
Those who end in the top 6 of then qualifying table will book their places while the seventh place will take place in the play-off.
The hosts automatically qualify for the tournament, so that the USA, Canada and Mexico are not involved in the Concacaf qualification process.
Qualifying is a three -stage process with the third and last round, in which 12 teams are included in three groups of four groups. The three group winners will take part in the hosts at the 2026 World Cup, while the two best run over the second place will qualify for the intercontinental play-offs.
In March 2025, Japan was the first nation outside of the three hosts who qualified for the 2026 World Cup because she won Group C in the third round of the AFC qualifications. They are one of eight AFC members who will qualify for the tournament, and there is an intercontinental play-off place for one of the second-placed fourth round.
The tournament of Morocco’s historical campaign in 2022 will give nine African representatives at the tournament. The nine group winners in CAF qualifying will all qualify, and there is a place in the intercontinental play-off for one of the four second best second.
New Zealand has returned to the World Championship via the OFC qualification, while New Caledonia will be involved in the intercontinental play-off. Australia will try to join their oceanic neighbors in North America, but they have to do work in their AFC qualification group.
Australia and New Zealand just took part in the same World Cup (2010).
The first 48-team world championship will take place in North America, with the USA, Canada and Mexico organizing all games at the tournament. 11 of the 16 venues that are hosts in the USA are also three Mexican and two Canadian cities.
2026 is the first North American World Cup since the United States in 1994 and the first to be held in three countries.
The Metlife Stadium, in which the New York Giants and Jets are located, was selected for the final on July 19.