🏆 European qualifiers done: Who's in, who's in the play-offs? | OneFootball

It won’t be long now before things kick off in the stadiums across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. For the very first time, the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 national teams.

This evening, the qualification phase in Europe came to an end – and the direct European tickets have been allocated. On the final matchday, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Scotland, and Belgium secured their spots – the latter steamrolled over Liechtenstein, while “La Roja” conceded their first qualifying goals against Turkey, and Rangnick’s squad had to stretch themselves for a direct ticket – because Bosnia and Herzegovina came close to pulling off a sensation.

Scotland didn’t just come close – they seized it: In a nerve-wracking final against Denmark, they won thanks in part to a bicycle kick and two goals in stoppage time, earning a direct ticket to the World Cup. If you want to read more about these thrilling matches from tonight, just click here. 

So, all the question marks in Europe have been resolved – but there are still teams who will have to take an extra lap through the playoffs, and there are still some question marks on other continents as well. We’ve put together a brief overview. Here’s what’s already certain: 

Who’s safely in?

The following European nations can now, as of today at the latest, safely plan for their participation in the finals: 

England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, Austria & Belgium. 

Who has to go to the Play-Offs?

The remaining four UEFA nations that will be able to take part in the World Cup will be determined in the playoffs. The following nations will – or must, depending on your perspective – participate: Albania, Ireland, Ukraine, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Denmark, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia & Wales. 

And outside Europe?

The following teams from other continents are definitely in: 

From Africa: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.

From Asia and Australia: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are all definitely in.

Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Colombia represent South America, and from Oceania it’s New Zealand. 

In North America, the USA, Mexico, and Canada are automatically qualified as hosts. Who else from North & Central America and the Caribbean will qualify will be decided in the early hours of Wednesday (19.11.). In the Concacaf World Cup qualification, before the final matchday, Suriname, Panama, Jamaica, Curaçao, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Haiti were still theoretically in the running for the remaining three direct spots for the World Cup. 

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors

Two more participants will be determined in an intercontinental playoff tournament. Six teams will take part: one each from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America, and two teams from North America. So far, among those who will definitely be fighting for the last tickets are Bolivia, New Caledonia, DR Congo, and Iraq.  

This tournament will take place in March, just like the European playoffs – so the very last six tickets for the World Cup next summer will be awarded then. The other 42 participants will be finalized by tomorrow, Wednesday, at the latest. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images