As qualification campaigns reach their conclusion, only six spots remain to be filled through intercontinental playoffs in March 2026. The current roster features traditional powerhouses, emerging forces, and nations ending decades-long absences. Here’s your complete guide to every team that has booked their ticket to the biggest World Cup in history

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualified Teams at a Glance

Play-Off Tournament Qualifiers (6 Teams Competing for 2 Spots)

Bolivia (CONMEBOL), Congo DR (CAF), Iraq (AFC), Jamaica (CONCACAF), New Caledonia (OFC), Suriname (CONCACAF)

These six nations will compete in an intercontinental playoff tournament in March 2026, with two teams advancing to complete the 48-team field.

Confederation Qualification Allocation

Host Nations: Automatic Qualification

The three co-hosting nations receive automatic entry, marking significant milestones for each country’s football journey.

Complete Host Nation Details

AFC Qualified Teams: Asia’s Rising Force

Asia sends eight teams to North America, including two making their World Cup debuts and several nations maintaining impressive qualification streaks.

Complete AFC Qualifiers

Qualification Stories

Japan – Early Dominance The Samurai Blue eased through qualifying with remarkable efficiency, securing their place with three group games remaining in the third round of AFC preliminaries. Their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance demonstrates consistent excellence and establishes Japan as Asia’s most reliable qualifier.

IR Iran – Dramatic Finish Team Melli qualified in nail-biting fashion, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan on March 25. The dramatic result secured their fourth successive World Cup and showcased characteristic resilience under pressure.

Korea Republic – Consistent Excellence Korea Republic reached their 11th consecutive World Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory against Iraq at Basra International Stadium on June 5. Their qualification streak represents one of the longest active runs in world football.

Jordan – Historic Breakthrough Jordan qualified for their first-ever World Cup on June 5 after defeating Oman 3-0 in Muscat while Iraq simultaneously lost to Korea Republic. This historic achievement caps years of investment in youth development and infrastructure.

Uzbekistan – Maiden Voyage Uzbekistan reached their first World Cup after securing a top-two finish in the third round of Asian qualifying on June 5. As a former Soviet republic, they become the third post-Soviet nation to qualify independently, following Russia and Ukraine.

Australia – Direct Route Australia secured their sixth successive World Cup on June 10 following a comeback 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. Notably, this marked the first time they secured direct qualification since the 2014 campaign, avoiding the playoff route.

Qatar – Back Again Qatar’s Akram Afif set up headers for Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel to send the 2022 hosts back to the World Cup. Despite exiting their home tournament in the group phase, Qatar booked their return ticket with a 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates on October 14.

Saudi Arabia – Consistency Continues Saudi Arabia reached a third consecutive World Cup following a goalless draw with Iraq on October 14. The Green Falcons, who famously upset Argentina at Qatar 2022, now aim to equal their best campaign: reaching the Round of 16 at USA 1994.

CAF Qualified Teams: African Excellence

Africa sends nine teams to the tournament, featuring a World Cup debutant, returning powers, and nations ending lengthy absences.

Complete CAF Qualifiers

African Qualification Highlights

Morocco – First to Qualify The Atlas Lions, who made history by reaching the 2022 semifinals, became the first African team to reach the 2026 tournament with an emphatic 5-0 win over Niger on September 5. They carry the continent’s hopes after proving African teams can compete at the highest level.

Cabo Verde – Historic Debut The Blue Sharks secured their first World Cup appearance by topping Group D after being pushed all the way by Cameroon. They sealed qualification with a 3-0 victory over Eswatini. With a population just over 500,000, Cabo Verde becomes the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup, after Iceland at Russia 2018.

South Africa – Ending the Wait Bafana Bafana sealed their World Cup return, ending a 16-year absence, on October 14, 2025. A 3-0 win over Rwanda on the final day of Group C qualifying allowed them to finish ahead of Nigeria and secure automatic qualification. The result sparked nationwide celebrations.

Egypt – Salah’s Leadership After missing Qatar 2022, Egypt punched their ticket with a game to spare after posting a 3-0 victory over Djibouti. Talisman Mohamed Salah led the way as the Pharaohs topped Group A with impressive performances at both ends of the pitch.

Algeria – Desert Foxes Return Algeria booked their World Cup return for the first time since 2014 after a 3-0 victory away to Somalia. Riyad Mahrez and company won seven and drew one of their first nine qualifiers to ensure they couldn’t be caught in Group G.

Senegal – African Champions Qualify The Lions of Teranga qualified after securing first place in Group B with a 4-0 victory over Mauritania in their final fixture on October 14. It will be their fourth World Cup appearance as current African champions.

Côte d’Ivoire – Elephants Return The Elephants secured their place on October 14 with a 3-0 victory over Kenya in their final Group F fixture, topping the section ahead of Gabon. Côte d’Ivoire returns to the global finals for the first time since 2014.

Tunisia – Solid Defense The Carthage Eagles booked their place with two games to spare in Group H with a dramatic last-gasp win away to Equatorial Guinea in Malabo. Their defense remained unbreached in their first eight CAF qualifying matches.

Ghana – Fifth Appearance Ghana secured their place with a 1-0 victory over Comoros on October 12 to seal top spot in Group I. This marks their fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage since debuting at Germany 2006.

CONCACAF Qualified Teams: Regional Surprises

Beyond the three host nations, CONCACAF qualified three additional teams, including the tournament’s most remarkable qualification story.

Complete CONCACAF Qualifiers

CONCACAF Qualification Stories

Curaçao – Unprecedented Achievement Curaçao makes history as the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup. The Blue Wave punched their ticket after earning a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Jamaica to finish first in Group B. With a population of approximately 160,000, Curaçao also becomes the first non-sovereign entity to qualify since the Dutch East Indies in 1938, as they are a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Haiti – Long-Awaited Return Haiti returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, ending a 52-year absence. The Caribbean island clinched the top spot in Group C with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua, coupled with a crucial goalless draw between Honduras and Costa Rica. This marks only their second World Cup appearance in history.

Panama – Back Again Panama heads to their second World Cup after powering to a 3-0 win against El Salvador on the final matchday of CONCACAF qualifying. Los Canaleros finished atop Group A, returning with more experience and confidence after their Russia 2018 debut.

CONMEBOL Qualified Teams: South American Power

South America’s six direct qualification spots mean every qualified team brings championship pedigree and attacking excellence.

Complete CONMEBOL Qualifiers

South American Qualification Highlights

Argentina – First to Qualify The reigning world champions were the first CONMEBOL team to qualify, securing their spot on March 25 when Bolivia drew 0-0 with Uruguay. That result guaranteed Argentina would finish in one of South America’s six automatic qualification spots. Led by Lionel Messi, potentially in his final World Cup, Argentina seeks to become the first nation to successfully defend the title since Brazil in 1962.

Brazil – Unbroken Streak New coach Carlo Ancelotti led Brazil to a 1-0 win over Paraguay on June 10, maintaining the nation’s remarkable record of featuring at every World Cup edition ever held. The Seleção pursues a record-extending sixth title.

Uruguay – Bielsa’s Success Marcelo Bielsa has guided Uruguay to their fifth successive World Cup following a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Peru. La Celeste continues their consistent World Cup presence under the Argentine coach’s leadership.

Ecuador – Steady Progress A scoreless draw against Peru in Lima on June 10 assured Ecuador of qualification with two matches to spare. It marks La Tri’s fifth global finals this century, demonstrating their growing consistency.

Paraguay – Breaking the Drought For the first time since 2010, Paraguay returns to the World Cup after securing their spot with a 0-0 draw at home against Ecuador on September 4. The result ended a 16-year absence from football’s biggest stage.

Colombia – Redemption After missing Qatar 2022, Colombia bounced back to the World Cup with talisman James Rodríguez leading his side to a 3-0 triumph over Bolivia on September 4. Los Cafeteros return with renewed ambition.

OFC Qualified Team: Oceania’s Representative

New Zealand booked their spot by overcoming New Caledonia 3-0 in the OFC qualifying final. The All Whites compete at the tournament for the third time, having previously qualified for 1982 and 2010. This marks the first time OFC has received a guaranteed World Cup berth, eliminating the intercontinental playoff requirement that historically prevented Oceania teams from qualifying.

UEFA Qualified Teams: European Excellence

Europe sends 16 teams to the tournament, featuring world champions, continental champions, and nations ending decades-long absences.

Complete UEFA Qualifiers

European Qualification Highlights

England – Eighth Straight England booked their place at an eighth successive World Cup after Thomas Tuchel’s side eased through UEFA preliminaries, qualifying with two games to spare. A 5-0 victory over Latvia in Riga on October 14 sealed their return, marking their first World Cup on American soil after missing USA 1994.

Germany – Redemption Mission Germany booked their place at a 19th straight World Cup with a 6-0 victory over Slovakia on November 17 to top Group A. Coach Julian Nagelsmann aims to restore German football’s reputation after back-to-back group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.

France – Mbappe Magic Les Bleus were the second European team to secure qualification, claiming top spot in Group F with a 4-0 victory over Ukraine on an emotional night at the Parc des Princes, where Kylian Mbappé scored twice.

Scotland – Dramatic Qualification Scotland secured their first World Cup return since 1998 in the most dramatic fashion possible, defeating Denmark 4-2 in their final qualifier thanks to two goals in added time. The comeback victory sent Hampden Park into raptures and ended a 28-year wait.

Norway – Ending the Drought Norway returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 after finishing first in Group I of UEFA qualifying. They sealed qualification with an impressive 4-1 win over Italy in Milan on the final matchday, ending a 28-year absence.

Austria – Back After 28 Years Austria secured their World Cup ticket on November 18 after a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina saw them top Group H, ending a 28-year absence since 1998.

Spain – Champions Return Spain, who won the 2010 title and are reigning European champions, were taken to the final day of Group E by Turkey. They fought back to draw 2-2 in Seville, booking their place at a 17th tournament and 13th in succession.

Portugal – Emphatic Qualification Portugal captured top spot in Group F of UEFA qualifying in style with an emphatic 9-1 win over Armenia on the final matchday to reach their ninth World Cup.

Netherlands – Unbeaten Run The Dutch wrapped up qualification with a decisive 4-0 victory over Lithuania in Amsterdam on November 17. Ronald Koeman’s side enjoyed an unbeaten run in qualifying as the Netherlands qualified for their 12th World Cup.

Croatia – Quick Qualification Croatia quickly secured their spot, coming from behind to defeat the Faroe Islands 3-1 in Rijeka to rubber-stamp their position atop Group L with a match to spare.

Belgium – Goal Fest Belgium booked their World Cup return in style, brushing aside Liechtenstein 7-0 to top Group J with a goal-fest in Liège in their final qualifier.

Switzerland – Unbeaten Record Switzerland’s 1-1 draw in Kosovo confirmed their sixth successive World Cup appearance. The Swiss enjoyed an exceptional qualification campaign, maintaining an unbeaten record in Group B.

Intercontinental Playoffs: Final Six Spots

Six teams will compete for the final two World Cup berths in March 2026 through an intercontinental playoff tournament.

Playoff Participants

Team	Confederation	Route to Playoff
Bolivia	CONMEBOL	Finished 7th in South American qualifying
Congo DR	CAF	Finished 2nd in Group B behind Senegal
Iraq	AFC	Lost in Asian fourth round
Jamaica	CONCACAF	Finished 2nd in Group B behind Curaçao
New Caledonia	OFC	Lost OFC final to New Zealand
Suriname	CONCACAF	Qualified through CONCACAF route

Playoff Format Details

• Total Teams: 6 competing for 2 World Cup spots
• Format: Knockout tournament with seeding
• Seeded Teams: 2 teams based on FIFA rankings
• Unseeded Teams: 4 teams play preliminary knockout matches
• Final Stage: Seeded teams face knockout winners
• Location: Hosted in one of the three 2026 host nations
• Date: March 2026
• Purpose: Also serves as test event for main tournament

Tournament Milestones and Records

World Cup Debuts (4 Nations)

Notable Returns

Special Achievements

Seven Arab Nations For the first time in World Cup history, seven Arab nations will compete together: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.

Smallest Nation Ever Curaçao becomes the smallest country by population ever to qualify for the World Cup at approximately 160,000 people.

First Non-Sovereign Entity Since 1938 Curaçao is the first non-sovereign entity to qualify since the Dutch East Indies in 1938.

Perfect World Cup Record Brazil maintains its perfect record of qualifying for every World Cup ever held (23 consecutive tournaments).

Most Times Hosting Mexico becomes the first nation to host three World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026).