Which nations have already qualified for the World Cup and which teams are close to booking their place? | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup is seven months away and 28 teams have now booked their place in the tournament.

England became the first European side to qualify for the tournament after their 5-0 thrashing of Latvia in October.

The full list of countries who have qualified so far are:

Host nations: Canada, Mexico, United States.

Europe: England.

Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia.

Asia: Australia, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan.

Oceania: New Zealand.

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia.

But with 18 spots still in play, we assess where the big footballing nations are currently at in their qualifying campaigns, and who else could also qualify.

UEFA

England are currently the only UEFA country to have confirmed their place in the United States in 2026, after winning all six of their qualifying games. By Saturday 15th November, another seven sides could confirm their spot.

Only the group winners automatically advance to the World Cup, with the second-placed teams advancing to the play-offs along with the four best Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two in their qualifying group.

France

Group D leaders and two-time world champions France are one game away from securing their place in the USA, with a three-point cushion over second placed Ukraine. Both teams face off against each other on November 13 with a victory over Ukraine enough for Didier Deschamps’ side to qualify.

Switzerland

Group B front runners Switzerland will qualify on November 15 if they defeat Graham Potter’s Sweden and second placed Kosovo fail to beat Slovenia. But if the Swiss only manage to draw to the Swedes, then Kosovo failing to beat Slovenia will be enough to progress to the States.

Belgium

Qualification can be secured for Belgium on the same date if they defeat Kazakhstan. If the Red Devils fail to win that match and their following match against Lichtenstein, then Wales and North Macedonia will have a slim chance to qualify. However, it is unlikely with both sides facing off in their final Group J match.

Netherlands

The Dutch will qualify if they can beat their nearest rivals Poland in their first match of the international break on November 14. Defeat to the Poles would leave the Netherlands with just a goal difference advantage heading into their last match against Lithuania.

Austria

Victory against Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina failing to beat Romania would result in Austria’s qualification for the World Cup.

Portugal

Victory against the Republic of Ireland will see Cristiano Ronaldo and co qualify, but they will also secure their passage if Hungary fail to beat Armenia.

Norway

High-scoring Norway will secure a first World Cup visit since 1998 if they beat Estonia and Italy fail to beat Moldova. They would also qualify even if they draw to Estonia, but only if Italy subsequently lost to Moldova.

Spain

The final side who can qualify during the first set of fixtures during this international break is Spain, who will secure their post in the USA if they beat Georgia and Turkey fail to overcome Bulgaria.

Who else can still qualify?

Teams in Group A, C and L will have to wait until their final matches of qualification to decide their fate. In Group A, Germany are tied with Slovakia on nine points, and face Luxembourg on November 14. If the Germans fail to win, it will come down to a final match shootout with Slovakia to decide who qualifies.

Denmark and Scotland are tied on ten points in Group C, with the Scots facing Greece and the Danes in their final two matches. If Steve Clarke’s men win both games, they will secure a World Cup return.

In Group L it looks like Croatia will be heading the USA, as they hold a three-point advantage to second placed Czechia, who have played a match more than the group leaders. Victory against surprise package Faroe Islands on November 14 would secure Croatia’s place in the tournament.

Minnows San Marino still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup, despite losing all seven of their qualifiers. After winning their Nations League group, they remarkably require a heavy defeat to Romania, one of the teams vying for one of four play-off spots via their Nations League performances, and a defeat for Bosnia and Herzegovina to secure a play-off position.

Oceania

New Caledonia could remarkably reach the World Cup if they win the inter-confederation play-off.

South America

Bolivia could join the rest of their South American rivals in the World Cup if they win the inter-confederation play-off.

North America

In Group C, Honduras will secure a World Cup berth if they beat Nicaragua on November 13, and Costa Rica draw against Haiti. Jamaica will also qualify if they defeat Trinidad and Tobago and Curacao lose to Bermuda in Group B. Suriname, Panama and Guatemala will have to wait until their final Group A match to see who qualifies. The two best second placed teams will qualify for the inter-confederation play-off.

Africa

Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon and DR Congo will play two one-legged play-offs to decide who gets the inter-confederation play-off. Nigeria take on Gabon, whilst Cameroon facing DR Congo, with the winners of their respective matches then facing each other for the play-off place.

Asia

Iraq and United Arab Emirates will now face each other for an inter-confederation play-off spot.