The November international break has concluded: 42 of the 48 spots for the 2026 World Cup have now been filled, with the final six to be decided via playoffs scheduled for March 2026. The competition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32 previously.
For the first time in its history, Curaçao, the small Caribbean island with a population of just 150,000, will participate in a World Cup, becoming the least populated country ever to qualify for the tournament. Alongside Curaçao, Haiti has secured its place in the finals, 52 years after its first appearance in 1974, while Panama completes the trio of CONCACAF nations that qualified directly.
In Europe, qualifying went well for the major nations: France, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, Belgium, Scotland, and Austria all secured their spots, as did Norway, who shone with 37 goals scored in eight matches, including 16 by Erling Haaland, and conceded only five.
Six places remain to be contested via the playoffs. In Europe, 16 nations will compete for four spots, including Italy, Poland, Sweden, and Turkey. These teams will be divided into four groups of four, with single-leg semi-finals and finals, the seeded teams having home advantage.
Internationally, six teams will compete for the final two spots via the intercontinental playoffs. Among them are DR Congo, the African playoff contender, who dream of returning to the world stage for the first time since 1974, after their decisive victory against Nigeria thanks to Chancel Mbemba’s penalty kick; Bolivia; Jamaica; Iraq; New Caledonia; and Suriname.
Here are the 42 nations already qualified for the 2026 World Cup:
Mexico (host), United States (host), Canada (host), France, England, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Scotland, Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cape Verde, Ghana, South Africa, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Panama, Curaçao, Haiti, and New Zealand.
European play-off teams: Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Albania, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Poland, Kosovo, Denmark, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales, North Macedonia.
Intercontinental play-off teams: Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia, New Caledonia, Iraq, Jamaica, Suriname.
wiwsport.com
