Which teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

article

FILE-The FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed ahead of the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, on December 13, 2024. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

A record 48 teams are competing in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The 39-day tournament starts June 11, 2026, and will feature 104 matches across 16 North American cities—all of which will be broadcast on FOX and FOX Sports.

The Associated Press reported that Uruguay beat Peru 3-0, Colombia defeated Bolivia 3-0 and Paraguay held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw to secure their places Thursday from South American qualifying.

Forty-three teams will earn their spots through continental qualifying tournaments. According to the AP, two other teams will secure berths in the intercontinental playoffs which features six teams and is slated to begin in March 2026. The three host countries automatically qualify.

Here’s what you need to know about the format and the teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup 2026 teams who have qualified

Dig deeper:

The United States, Mexico, Canada have qualified automatically as hosts countries for the tournament.

Asia

Japan (qualified on March 20)
Iran (qualified on March 25)
Jordan (qualified on June 5)
South Korea (qualified on June 5)
Uzbekistan (qualified on June 5)
Australia (qualified on June 10)

Oceania

New Zealand (qualified on March 24)

South America

Argentina (qualified on March 25)
Brazil (qualified on June 10)
Ecuador (qualified on June 10)
Uruguay (qualified on September 4)
Colombia (qualified on September 4)
Paraguay (qualified on September 4)

World Cup 2026 breakdown

Big picture view:

Asia will have eight direct places and one in the intercontinental playoff.

Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff, the Associated Press reported.

North and Central America and the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs.

South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs.

Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched a spot in March. The AP noted that it could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs.

And Europe will have 16 teams likely to play in the next World Cup.

When does the 2026 World Cup kick off?

Why you should care:

The tournament will be played through June and July in 2026 and will begin at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, with the final held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which will be called the New York New Jersey Stadium during FIFA's tournament.

What is the 2026 World Cup format?

Big picture view:

The Associated Press reported that the 2026 World Cup will follow the same format as in recent years, just with a bigger collection of teams.

There will be 12 groups of four teams. The teams in each group play each other and the top two will advance to a knockout stage. The eight best third-place teams will also advance. The knockouts will be played from the round of 32 to the final.

Which cities will host the 2026 World Cup?

Local perspective:

The United States will host games in Arlington, Texas; Atlanta; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Houston; Inglewood, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami Gardens, Florida; Philadelphia, Seattle; and San Jose, California.

Where can I get tickets for the 2026 World Cup?

What you can do:

Soccer fans can start applying for tickets starting Sept. 10. Tickets will be released in phases given the anticipated high demand for them. You can register to get tickets to next year’s World Cup through FIFA.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by previous LIVENOW from FOX reporting and the Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.

FIFA World Cup Sports News