For some nations, qualification to the FIFA World Cup every four years is a baseline expectation of the fanbase.
Other countries, however, will be thrilled to find themselves in the field every four years — or at all.
The opportunity is better than ever to make that happen as the 2026 World Cup will be the first in history expanded all the way to 48 participants at the final tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Sporting News walks you through who has already been confirmed to participate at next summer’s showcase, and who could clinch a place soon with many spots still up for grabs.
With South American and African qualifying now complete aside from the determination of CAF participants at the intercontinental playoffs, all eyes turn to both European and North American
A reminder: a reference to a “magic number” means any combination of points gained by the team in question, or points dropped by the side directly below them, would secure a place at the finals.
MORE: How the 2026 World Cup draw will work and who is sorted into which pot
Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?
JUMP TO: Europe | Africa | North and Central America | Asia | Teams already qualified
Here, The Sporting News breaks down how the qualification picture looks across the different federations heading into the November international break.
Some, like CONMEBOL, have concluded their qualifying phases. Others, such as UEFA and CONCACAF, have plenty at stake.
UEFA
The following European nations are in a position to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the October international break, with a specific set of results required.
They are listed in estimated order of perceived likelihood by which the required results will come to pass.
Portugal
Portugal will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Portugal defeat Northern Ireland or Armenia, OR…
- Portugal draw with Northern Ireland and Armenia, OR…
- Portugal draw with Northern Ireland, AND Hungary drop points vs. Armenia, OR…
- Portugal lose to Northern Ireland, AND Hungary lose to Armenia
An extra-time heartbreaker against Hungary meant Portugal had to wait until November to confirm their World Cup qualification.
Just two points from the matches against Republic of Ireland and Armenia will see them through.
Spain
Spain will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Spain defeat Georgia, AND Turkey drop points vs. Bulgaria, OR…
- Spain draw with Georgia, AND Turkey lose to Bulgaria, OR…
- Spain defeat Turkey
Spain have Turkey hot on their heels, and while they still control their own destiny atop Group E, they have two difficult fixtures remaining.
A win in the final match against Kosovo would put them through regardless of all other results, but they can also confirm their place before that by beating Sweden and getting some outside help.
Netherlands
Netherlands will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Netherlands defeat Poland, OR…
- Netherlands draw vs. Poland, AND Netherlands draw or defeat Lithuania, OR…
- Netherlands draw vs. Poland, AND Netherlands lose to Lithuania, AND Netherlands maintain thirteen-goal differential advantage.
- Netherlands lose to Poland, AND Netherlands better Poland’s result on final matchday, OR…
- Netherlands lose to Poland, AND Netherlands match Poland’s result on final matchday, AND Netherlands maintain thirteen-goal differential advantage.
While Poland are just three points behind the Dutch, those two play each other in the first November qualifying fixture, meaning the Netherlands can put their qualification to bed then and there.
If they fail to do so, things get complicated, but their massive goal differential advantage is a huge boon in this event.
Switzerland
Switzerland will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Switzerland defeat Sweden, AND Kosovo drop points vs. Slovenia, OR…
- Switzerland draw with Sweden, AND Kosovo lose to Slovenia, OR…
- Switzerland defeat Kosovo
A scoreless draw with Slovenia to conclude the October break meant Switzerland had to wait until November to confirm their place in the World Cup.
A win in the final match against Kosovo would put them through regardless of all other results, but they can also confirm their place before that by beating Sweden and getting some outside help.
Norway
Norway will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Norway defeat Estonia, AND Italy drop points vs. Moldova, OR…
- Norway draw with Estonia, AND Italy lose to Moldova, OR…
- Norway defeat Italy
With Italy right on their heels, Norway have to be steadfast to maintain their lead atop Group I.
A win in the final match against Italy would put them through regardless of all other results, but they can also confirm their place before that by beating Estonia and getting some outside help.
France
France will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- France defeat Ukraine, OR…
- France draw Ukraine AND France draw or beat Azerbaijan, OR…
- France lose to Ukraine, AND…
- France defeat Azerbaijan, AND maintain five-goal differential lead over Ukraine, OR…
- France draw Azerbaijan, AND Iceland def. Ukraine
- France lose to Azerbaijan, AND Iceland defeat Ukraine, AND France maintain five-goal differential lead over Ukraine
A draw with Iceland left France without a confirmed World Cup place, but Les Bleus still lead Group D, and would officially claim a place by beating Ukraine to begin the November international window. Short of that, there are still plenty of pathways available to remaining in the top spot in the group.
The worst France can do mathematically is second in the group.
Austria
Austria will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Austria defeat Cyprus, AND Bosnia & Herzegovina fails to defeat Romania, OR…
- Austria defeat Cyprus and draw vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina, OR…
- Austria draw with Cyprus and defeat Bosnia & Herzegovina, OR…
- Austria draw with Cyprus and draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina, AND Bosnia & Herzegovina fails to defeat Romania, OR…
- Austria lose to Cyprus and draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina, AND Austria maintain eight-goal differential over Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Austria are just two points ahead of Bosnia & Herzegovina heading into the final international break. They can confirm qualification on the first day with a win plus some outside help from Romania, but the finale against Bosnia & Herzegovina will be the critical match.
Denmark
Denmark will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Denmark defeat Belarus and Scotland, OR…
- Denmark better Scotland point total from final two matches, OR…
- Denmark match Scotland point total from final two matches, AND maintain six-goal differential advantage over Slovakia
While Denmark are level on points with Scotland heading into the final two matchdays of qualifying, they hold a significant goal differential advantage and also still have a match against basement-dwellers Belarus left to go, so they can potentially build on that even further. It’s all in front of them to qualify for the tournament.
Germany
Germany will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Germany defeat Luxembourg and Slovakia, OR…
- Germany better Slovakia point total from final two matches, OR…
- Germany match Slovakia point total from final two matches, AND maintain two-goal differential advantage over Slovakia
Germany are in a precarious position atop Group A, thanks to their earlier defeat to Northern Ireland. They are level on points with Slovakia, and have a two-goal differential advantage. The fact they play Slovakia on the final matchday helps significantly.
CONCACAF
There was a chance for Honduras and Jamaica to secure qualification in October, but neither was able to snatch the opportunity, so they must wait until November.
As a reminder, USA, Canada and Mexico automatically qualified as host nations.
Suriname, Panama
Suriname, the 113th-ranked nation in the world has a chance to stun the field and pick up a World Cup place.
However, Group A in CONCACAF qualifying is a complete mess, as Panama are level on points and goal differential at the top of the table after a 1-1 draw to finish the October window. Guatemala are also just a point back, so it’s anyone’s game with two matches to go, and thus truly impossible to draw definite conclusions at this point.
Jamaica
Jamaica sit just one point above 84th-ranked Curacao, but are in a very perilous position. Curacao have a match against bottom-feeders Bermuda remaining, while Jamaica must play Trinidad & Tobago before an all-important finale against Curacao.
Like Group A, Group B is also very much in the balance down the stretch, and we need to wait until the first round of November games to get a better idea what is at stake with each potential result. At this point, all we know is that Jamaica must match Curacao’s point total across the final two matches to leave themselves atop the table, or find themselves level on points where they can lean on their five-goal differential advantage.
Honduras
Honduras will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:
- Honduras defeat Nicaragua, AND Honduras draw or defeat Costa Rica, OR…
- Honduras draw Nicaragua, AND Honduras defeat Costa Rica, OR…
- Honduras draw Nicaragua, AND Honduras draw Costa Rica, AND Costa Rica draw with or lose to Haiti OR…
- Honduras lose to Nicaragua, AND Honduras defeat Costa Rica.
With a two-point lead over Costa Rica, Honduras are on track to make the World Cup, but they need to remain steadfast across the last two matches of qualifying.
CAF
CAF World Cup qualifying for direct places at the 2026 tournament has concluded.
All that remains now are the playoffs to determine the continent’s entrant to the intercontinental playoff, with Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria matching up in a four-team mini bracket to determine one nation that will play for a spot in the competition come March.
AFC
With the eight direct qualifiers now selected from the Asian confederation, there is now just one more match in qualifying to determine the one intercontinental playoff participant.
After finishing second in their three-team groups in the fourth round, United Arab Emirates and Iraq will contest a two-legged playoff matchup to determine the lone participant.
Teams already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
| Nation | Confederation | FIFA rank | Qualified Via |
| USA | CONCACAF | 16 | Host nation |
| Canada | CONCACAF | 14 | Host nation |
| Mexico | CONCACAF | 26 | Host nation |
| Argentina | CONMEBOL | 3 | 1st, CONMEBOL qualification |
| England | UEFA | 4 | 1st, UEFA qualification Group K |
| Brazil | CONMEBOL | 6 | 5th, CONMEBOL qualification |
| Morocco | CAF | 11 | 1st, CAF qualification Group E |
| Colombia | CONMEBOL | 13 | 3rd, CONMEBOL qualification |
| Uruguay | CONMEBOL | 15 | 4th, CONMEBOL qualification |
| Senegal | CAF | 18 | 1st, CAF qualification Group B |
| Japan | AFC | 19 | 1st, AFC qualification 3rd round, Group C |
| Iran | AFC | 21 | 1st, AFC qualification 3rd round, Group A |
| South Korea | AFC | 23 | 1st, AFC qualification 3rd round, Group B |
| Ecuador | CONMEBOL | 24 | 2nd, CONMEBOL qualification |
| Australia | AFC | 25 | 2nd, AFC qualification 3rd round, Group C |
| Egypt | CAF | 35 | 1st, CAF qualification Group A |
| Paraguay | CONMEBOL | 37 | 6th, CONMEBOL qualification |
| Algeria | CAF | 38 | 1st, CAF qualification Group G |
| South Africa | CAF | 44 | 1st, CAF qualification Group C |
| Tunisia | CAF | 46 | 1st, CAF qualification Group H |
| Qatar | AFC | 53 | 1st, AFC qualification 4th round, Group A |
| Uzbekistan | AFC | 54 | 2nd, AFC qualification 3rd round, Group A |
| Ivory Coast | CAF | 55 | 1st, CAF qualification Group F |
| Saudi Arabia | AFC | 59 | 1st, AFC qualification 4th round, Group B |
| Jordan | AFC | 62 | 2nd, AFC qualification 3rd round, Group B |
| Cape Verde | CAF | 70 | 1st, CAF qualification Group D |
| Ghana | CAF | 75 | 1st, CAF qualification Group I |
| New Zealand | OFC | 83 | 1st, OFC qualification tournament |
Places still to be determined at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
| Current Leader | Confederation | Qualified Via |
| Suriname | CONCACAF | 1st, CONCACAF qualification Group A |
| Curacao | CONCACAF | 1st, CONCACAF qualification Group B |
| Honduras | CONCACAF | 1st, CONCACAF qualification Group C |
| Germany | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group A |
| Switzerland | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group B |
| Denmark | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group C |
| France | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group D |
| Spain | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group E |
| Portugal | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group F |
| Netherlands | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group G |
| Austria | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group H |
| Norway | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group I |
| Belgium | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group J |
| Croatia | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification Group L |
| TBD | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification 2nd round Path A |
| TBD | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification 2nd round Path B |
| TBD | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification 2nd round Path C |
| TBD | UEFA | 1st, UEFA qualification 2nd round Path D |
| TBD | TBD | Intercontinental Playoff qualifier 1 |
| TBD | TBD | Intercontinental Playoff qualifier 2 |
