Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup? | OneFootball

Next year’s tournament sees 48 teams battle it out for football’s biggest prize

The group stage of World Cup qualifying is over, with teams beginning to book their flights to Canada, Mexico and the United States for next summer’s tournament.

There have been some surprise packages along the way, with a number of sides making history in qualifying for the World Cup either for a maiden time or the first time in decades.

It is sure to be an enthralling occasion in North America next year, with Argentina the defending champions after their penalty shootout heroics in the 2022 final against France.

The draw for next year’s tournament will take place on Friday, November 5, in Washington, DC. The play-off draw will happen on Thursday, November 20.

Europe will - naturally - have a large contingent, making up 16 of the 48 nations that will compete for the sport’s biggest prize.

So, who has already made it through next year, and who could join them through the play-offs?

Who has qualified?

Europe

The 12 group winners in the European qualifying get automatic entry into next year’s tournament.

England have qualified once again as group winners in Thomas Tuchel’s first campaign as manager.

The German has led the Three Lions to complete perfection in Group K, winning all eight of their games and conceding no goals - the only team to achieve the feat this time around.

Scotland joined them after a stunning 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park, while Germany survived a blip against Northern Ireland to win Group A.

Qualified: England

The FA via Getty Images

France sealed their place in the tournament as they topped Group D, and Spain and Portugal are also through.

Switzerland emerged victorious in Group B and Ralf Rangnick’s Austria topped Group H.

Norway were the only other side to match England’s 100% record, scoring 37 goals in the process as they won Group I.

Belgium, the Netherlands and Croatia are also through automatically.

South America

There are six South American nations that have confirmed their places in the tournament.

All 10 countries face off in a single league format, and this time around, Argentina topped the pile - and by nine points.

Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay have all qualified too.

North and Central America

Panama, Curacao and Haiti all won their Concacaf groups and will hop over the ocean to take part in next year’s competition.

Africa

There was drama aplenty in the African qualifying groups, with many going down to the wire.

Senegal and South Africa produced stunning final-day wins to secure their places, while Egypt had a more comfortable ride in Group A.

Back in the big time: South Africa

REUTERS

Cape Verde reached a maiden World Cup by topping Group D, and they will be joined by Morocco and Ivory Coast.

Algeria, Tunisia and Ghana complete the group winners.

Asia

Across the three groups, Iran won Group A, South Korea took Group B at a canter, and Japan held off Australia, with all three through as winners.

The group runners-up also get direct entry into the tournament, so the Socceroos will be joined by Uzbekistan and Jordan, both of who will be making their World Cup bows.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also through after they won the fourth-round groups, made up of the best-ranked third-placed sides.

Oceania

New Zealand raced through qualifying to book their place comfortably.

Into the play-offs

There are 16 European sides still hopeful of making it to North America next summer, with the play-offs their next bet,

The 12 runners-up are joined by the four best-ranked Nations League group winners that did not finish in the top two of their respective groups.

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are both still in contention, with the Republic just edged out by Portugal in Group F.

Wales held off the North Macedonians to claim second in Group J.

Sweden, despite finishing bottom of Group B, will get a second chance through the Nations League route, while their Scandinavian counterparts Denmark succumbed to second in Group C after their defeat in Glasgow.

Last chance saloon: Alexander Isak and Sweden will get an opportunity to reprieve themselves

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Italy were pipped by Norway in Group I - and Gennaro Gattuso’s side are out to qualify for their first World Cup since 2014.

Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Kosovo, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey, and Ukraine complete the list of runners-up, while North Macedonia and Romania also have a shot through the Nations League.

Bolivia will be South America’s sole representatives, while the Democratic Republic of Congo will be Africa’s after they shocked Nigeria in the African play-offs.