World Cup qualification: How the big nations have fared so far, who could miss out and who else is in contention to reach the tournament? | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup is eight months away and 19 teams have already booked their place in the tournament.

The countries who have qualified so far are:

Host nations: Canada, Mexico, United States.

Africa: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt.

Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan.

Oceania: New Zealand.

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

But with 29 spots still in play and no European teams as yet officially qualified, we assess where the big footballing nations are currently at in their qualifying campaigns, and who else could also qualify.

European nations

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.

Italy

Sandro Tonali celebrates for Italy against Israel (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Having missed the last two World Cups, qualification for Italy is absolutely crucial. Sandro Tonali scored a winner in the last minute against Israel last time out but with four games to go, they are six points behind leaders Norway though have played a game less. They still have to face Estonia, Israel, Moldova and Norway, but could face the play-offs unless they catch up to Norway.

Spain

The Euro 2024 champions are only two games into their six group stage games, but have won both and currently sit top of Group E. They still have to face Georgia twice, Bulgaria and Turkey.

France

The 2018 World Cup winners have also played two, won two and sit top of Group D. They face Azerbaijan and Iceland during this international break, and Ukraine and Azerbaijan again during the November fixtures.

England

England boss Thomas Tuchel (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel’s side have played five of their eight group games and won all five. A win over Latvia next week will make certain of their place at the World Cup, if Serbia also fail to beat either Albania or Andorra. They also still have to take on Serbia and Albania.

Portugal

With Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line and scoring goals for fun, Portugal are top of their group with two wins from two. They have four games left, facing Ireland twice, Hungary and Armenia.

Germany

Germany’s national team (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

Germany have only played two games but their qualification is far from guaranteed. They are currently third in Group A, behind Slovakia and Northern Ireland. They face two vital games in this international break against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland and in November, they will face Luxembourg and Slovakia. By the end of next week, their qualification situation will be a lot clearer.

Belgium

Belgium have ten points from four games and are second in their group, a point behind North Macedonia who have played a game more. They face the leaders this week, and also have Wales, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein to play.

Netherlands

The Netherlands look well placed to qualify, sitting top of their group level on points with Poland but having played a game less. Malta, Finland, Poland and Lithuania are their remaining opponents.

African nations

The group winners will automatically qualify, while the four best second-placed teams enter a play-off to decide which nation will go to the inter-confederation play-offs, which determines the final two participants in the World Cup.

Nigeria

Nigeria are in a dangerous position. They are third in their group, three points behind top two South Africa and Benin and face two huge games in the next five days that will decide their fate – against Lesotho and Benin.

Ivory Coast

The Ivorians currently lead their group after eight games played. They have two games left, against Seychelles and Kenya, and will guarantee qualification with two wins. Gabon are however breathing down their necks on 19 points, only one behind Ivory Coast.

Algeria

Algeria are top of their group and four points ahead of Uganda. They will qualify for the World Cup with a victory over Somalia this week.

Ghana

Ghana lead their group and are three points clear of Madagascar. They have all but secured qualification with only one game remaining and a goal difference that is eight better than Madagascar.

Senegal

Sadio Mane of Senegal (Photo by SEYLLOU/AFP via Getty Images)

Senegal have two games left – against South Sudan and Mauritania – and are top of their group on 18 points. DR Congo are second with 16 points and have also played eight games. They look well placed to qualify.

Cameroon

Cameroon are second in Group D with one game to go and are two points behind Cape Verde. Their final game is a must-win against Angola, and they could still miss out as one of the best second-placed teams having played a game more than some of their rivals.

Other nations which have impressed and those who have advanced in qualifying

Europe

Much of the European qualifiers are still in the early stages but of those who have played at least half of their games, there are several who look in a strong position.

Norway top their group having played five and won five. Croatia have also won each of their four games and are top on goal difference ahead of Czechia, who have played a game more.

Africa

Gabon and Madagascar look well placed to advance to the play-offs as two of the second best-placed teams.

Asia

One of Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will automatically advance to the World Cup, as well as one of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia, depending on who comes out on top in their mini group stage tournaments. The remaining nations then compete to be the Asia representative in the inter-confederation play-off.

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.

Central America

CONCACAF is in its third round of qualifying. Suriname, Jamaica and Honduras look best placed to advance automatically to the World Cup at present but it is still all to play for. The two other best second-placed sides will go to the inter-continental play-off.