The excitement is already building for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the expanded 48-team format, more nations than ever before are securing their place on the world stage—and qualification is well underway around the globe.
As co-hosts, the United States, Mexico, and Canada have already qualified automatically, giving all three teams a chance to prepare early and focus on building momentum before the tournament begins.
But they aren’t alone. Across every confederation, more nations have begun punching their tickets as qualifying campaigns progress.
To see the full, up-to-date list of qualified nations, visit the official breakdown from U.S. Soccer:
Which Nations Have Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? – U.S. Soccer
Why Qualification Looks Different This Cycle
With the expanded format and three host nations skipping qualifiers, some regions have shifted qualification structures, playoff routes, and seeding. This has added extra intensity in certain confederations, especially with more spots available for emerging soccer nations.
The inter-confederation playoffs are also set to be crucial, offering the final handful of teams a dramatic path into the tournament.
What Fans Should Watch Next
Remaining qualification windows across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America
Inter-confederation playoff matchups
The official group-stage draw, which will determine how teams are matched for the tournament
For a complete and continually updated look at who’s in—and who’s still fighting for a spot—check out the full article on U.S. Soccer:
U.S. Soccer – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
