2026 World Cup Qualifiers Near the Finish Line: Who’s In, Who’s Still Fighting for a Place?

In partnership with

Foot Africa

·12 November 2025

2026 World Cup Qualifiers Near the Finish Line: Who’s In, Who’s Still Fighting for a Place?

November’s international break will decide most of the tickets to the first ever 48 team World Cup

2026 World Cup Qualifiers Near the Finish Line: Who’s In, Who’s Still Fighting for a Place?

Video OneFootball

The global race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico is entering its decisive stage.

With the November international window now underway, most continental qualifying campaigns will soon reach their climax confirming the majority of the 48 participating nation for the first expanded World Cup in history.

By the end of this window, 39 team are expected to have sealed qualification joining the three automatic hosts.

Only six places will remain up for grabs, to be decided in March 2026 through continental & intercontinental playoffs.

Europe: 11 Direct Spot to Be Settled

Only England have officially booked their World Cup ticket so far after cruising past Latvia 5-0 last month. The remaining 11 European slot will be decided in this November window.

Group A: Germany (9 pts) lead narrowly ahead of Slovakia needing wins over Luxembourg & Slovakia to qualify directly. Northern Ireland (6 pts) can still spring surprise.
Group B: Switzerland (10 pts) are favorites requiring four point from their matches against Sweden & Kosovo. The latter could still make history with two victory.
Group C: Denmark & Scotland are level on 10 pts and will likely face off in decisive final match in Glasgow.
Group D: France (10 pts) can clinch qualification by beating Ukraine at home. A draw would keep Les Bleus on course but leave the door open for Iceland.
Group E: Spain (12 pt) & Turkey (9 pts) will settle top spot in direct showdown on Tuesday.
Group F: Portugal (10 pts) need one win from their final two game against Ireland & Armenia to join England.
Group G: Netherlands (16 pt) sit three ahead of Poland (13 pt). A Dutch win over Lewandowski’s men on Friday would seal qualification.
Group H: Austria (15 pts) can secure passage with four point from matches against Cyprus and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Group I: Norway (18 pts) and Italy (15 pts) meet in blockbuster final round. Erling Haaland aims for his first World Cup appearance while the Azzurri seek redemption after missing the last two tournament.
Group J: Belgium (14 pts) require just one win from fixtures against Kazakhstan & Liechtenstein to progress.
Group L: Croatia (16 pts) need only draw against Faroe Islands or Montenegro to qualify alongside England.

North & Central America: Three Direct Ticket, Two Playoff Spot

Competition remains fierce across CONCACAF’s three qualifying groups.

Group A: Suriname, Panama, Guatemala and El Salvador are separated by just three points, with each still in contention.
Group B: Jamaica (9 pts) lead ahead of Curacao (8 pts). Victory over Trinidad & Tobago could seal qualification if Curacao slip up.
Group C: Honduras (8 pts) can qualify early with win over Nicaragua and slip from Costa Rica (6 pts) against Haiti. Otherwise their direct clash next week will decide it.

Confirmed Teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Asia: (Japan – South Korea – Iran – Uzbekistan – Jordan – Australia – Saudi Arabia – Qatar)
Africa: (Morocco – Tunisia – Egypt – Ghana – Algeria – Cape Verde – Ivory Coast – South Africa – Senegal)
South America: (Argentina – Brazil – Uruguay – Colombia – Ecuador – Paraguay)
North America (hosts): USA – Mexico – Canada
Europe: England
Oceania: New Zealand

The road ahead

By the close of the November window, the picture for the 2026 World Cup will be nearly complete. Only 6 more nation will fight for glory in the March playoffs where Europe & the intercontinental brackets will determine the final qualifiers.