Qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup began on Oct. 12, 2023, when minor nations from the Asian confederation played their first round of matches. Myanmar's Lwin Moe Aung scored the very first goal in a 5-1 win over Macau.
All confederations are drawing to a close, but we're a long way from discovering the list of 45 nations who will join hosts United States, Mexico and Canada to make up the full field of 48.
Japan were the very first country to qualify on March 20.
QUALIFIED (15/45): Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia
What was decided this week?
South America: Wrapped up its qualifying programme. The final three automatic qualifiers -- Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay -- were decided on Thursday. On Tuesday, Bolivia secured the place in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Europe and Concacaf: Qualifying, which ends in November, was still at an early stage and no country booked their place.
Africa: There were two rounds played in the main group stage, with Morocco and Tunisia the two countries to book their places. The final two rounds of the stage take place in October.
Asia: The first six countries had booked their places, with the next round starting in October.
Oceania: Process complete, with New Zealand through and New Caledonia in the playoffs.
South America (CONMEBOL)
6 auto + 1 enters playoff
As in recent qualifying competitions, all 10 nations played each other home and away. The top six nations qualified directly to the finals. The seventh-placed team goes into the inter-confederation playoffs in March.
The first qualifiers took place in September 2023, with the league phase was completed in September.
What was decided this week?
The final three automatic places were decided on Thursday when Venezuela suffered a 3-0 loss in Argentina.
That result guaranteed a place in the top six for Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay. They join Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador, who had already qualified.
Venezuela had the inter-confederation playoffs place in their own hands, but they lost 6-3 at home to Colombia.
That opened the door for Bolivia, who won 1-0 at home to Brazil at altitude to climb up to seventh.
- Check out the results | Final table
Africa (CAF)
9 auto + 1 enters playoff
There were 54 FIFA-affiliated nations in the draw. However, Eritrea subsequently withdrew.
Round 1: The teams are in eight groups of six nations, and one group of five (with Eritrea removed.)
The nine group winners qualify for the World Cup.
This stage began in November 2023 and will be completed with two rounds to be played in October.
What was decided this week?
NB: FIFA and CAF have yet to confirm how the second-placed teams will be ranked with only five teams in Group E, and six in the others.
Group E: MOROCCO (21) became the first African nation to qualify when they thrashed Niger (9) 5-0 on Friday. Tanzania (10) are one point ahead of Niger for second -- but Niger have two games to play. Final rounds: Tanzania vs. Zambia (6); Niger vs. Congo (1), Zambia vs. Niger
Group H: TUNISIA (22) followed on Monday, but only thanks to the 94th-minute goal which gave them a 1-0 win in Equatorial Guinea (10). It's now a battle for second, with Namibia (15) needing one win from tough games in Liberia (11) and Tunisia. If Liberia beat Namibia, they are right back in contention ahead of a trip to Equatorial Guinea (10). Malawi (10) and Equatorial Guinea cannot be ruled out if it all goes wrong for Namibia.
Group A: Egypt (20) had a chance to punch their ticket on Tuesday but drew 0-0 at second-placed Burkina Faso (15). Victory against rock-bottom Djibouti (1) is likely to get Egypt over the line in October -- though Egypt need a maximum of two points from their final two matches, in Djibouti and at home to Guinea-Bissau (10). Burkina Faso are under pressure for second place from Sierra Leone (12) -- and it's third vs. second on the penultimate round. Guinea-Bissau could yet stay in contention if they beat Ethiopia (6) and Burkina Faso lose to Sierra Leone.
Group B: There was a huge result in Kinshasa as Senegal (18) came from two goals down to secure a late 3-2 win in DR Congo (16). It puts qualification in Senegal's own hands ahead of favourable fixtures next month in South Sudan (4) and at home to Mauritania (6). DR Congo must travel to Togo (7) and host Sudan (12) and hope Senegal slip up. Sudan must beat DR Congo to have a chance of second place.
Group C: South Africa (17), technically, are in a strong position after a 1-1 draw at home to Nigeria (11) on Tuesday. However, South Africa are yet to learn if there will be any punishment for playing an ineligible player in a 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March, and that could become a 3-0 loss. South Africa are away to Zimbabwe and at home to Rwanda (11) in October. Benin (14) are best-placed to challenge but play two difficult away games in Rwanda (11) and Nigeria. But it's impossible to know right now what's needed to qualify.
Group D: Cape Verde Islands (19) are on the brink of their first World Cup after beating Cameroon (15) 1-0 on Tuesday. Cape Verde need one win to book their place, with games in Libya (14) and at home to Eswatini (2). Cameroon are now under pressure for second-place from Libya. Final rounds: Mauritius (5) vs. Cameroon, Cameroon vs. Angola (10); Libya vs. Cape Verde, Mauritius vs. Libya.
Group F: Ivory Coast (20) claimed what could be an decisive 0-0 draw in Gabon (19) on Tuesday in what's a two-horse race. Ivory Coast will qualify if they beat the bottom two in October: they are in Seychelles (0) and at home to Kenya (9). Gabon take on a trip to Gambia (10) and host Burundi (10), hoping for a slip up from the leaders.
Group G: Algeria (19) could only draw in Guinea (11), and after wins for Mozambique (15) and Uganda (15) the group might still have some life in it. Next month it's Algeria vs. Uganda. However, that's the final game of the group and Algeria will seal qualification if they win in Somalia (1), who have lost six of their seven matches, on matchday nine.
Group I: Ghana (19) are in the box seat after they beat Mali on Monday, but there's lots of football to be played. Madagascar (16) are only three points behind with Comoros (15) still in contention for first place too. In October, it's Madagascar vs. Comoros on matchday nine, followed by Comoros vs. Ghana. Top spot could be sealed on matchday nine if Ghana win in Central African Republic (5) and Madagascar draw or lose vs. Comoros.
- Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Latest tables
Round 2: The four best runners-up will enter playoffs (two semifinals and a final) to decide which one country will go to the inter-confederation playoffs. This stage will be played in November 2025.
Europe (UEFA)
12 auto + 4 via confederation playoff
Qualifying began on March 21 when most of the European teams who were not in UEFA Nations League (UNL) action played their first matches.
There are 55 European nations, although 54 will compete as Russia remain suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine.
There are 12 groups of four or five teams, playing home and away matches. The group stage qualifying process continues with double-headers in October, and it's then completed in November.
The 12 group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, with the 12 runners-up entering the playoff system.
What was decided this week?
There were two rounds of fixtures in September, with the teams who were in the UNL finals only just playing their first games -- and that means we're still a way off discovering our first qualifiers.
Group A: Slovakia (6) are top with a 100% record after a shock win over Germany (3). The two teams meet again on the final matchday on Nov. 17. Northern Ireland (3) are also in contention. While Slovakia could mathematically qualify in October, it would require Germany failing to win at home to Luxembourg.
Group B: Switzerland (6) are in a good position having won both games. With two fixtures to play in October, they could be one of the first to qualify. If the Swiss win in Sweden (1) and Slovenia (1), they will punch their ticket if second-placed Kosovo (3) pick up no more than two points from a home game vs. Slovenia and a trip to Sweden.
Group C: A tight group between Denmark (4), Scotland (4) and Greece (3), with Belarus (0) completing the set. In October, it's Scotland vs. Greece and Denmark vs. Greece.
Group D: France (6) have picked up two wins, with Iceland (3) in second. France can qualify in October with victories at home to Azerbaijan (1) and in Iceland, as long as Iceland do not win at home to Ukraine (1) and Ukraine don't get two victories.
Group E: Spain (6) are top with a 100% record. They play home games against Georgia (3) and Bulgaria (0) in October, and six points will take them to the World Cup if Turkey (3) fail to win in Bulgaria and Georgia vs. Turkey (3) is a draw.
Group F: Portugal (6) have won both matches and are close to qualification. If Portugal win at home to Republic of Ireland (1) and Hungary (1), they will be over the line if Armenia fail to get a victory in both Hungary and Ireland.
Group G: The first of the five-team groups with Netherlands (10) top ahead of Poland (10) and Finland (7), and no team can qualify in October. Netherlands go to Malta (2) and then host Finland. Poland have only one game, in Lithuania (3).
Group H: Again, no team can book their place in October with Bosnia and Herzegovina (12) and Austria (12) level. Bosnia go to Cyprus (4), while Austria have games at home to San Marino (0) and in Romania (7).
Group I: Norway (15) are in control ahead of Italy (9) and Israel (9). Norway's vastly superior goal difference over Italy (+21 vs. +5) means wins at home to Israel in October and Estonia (3) in November should effectively do the job, even if Italy win in Estonia, at home to Israel and away to Moldova (0). On the final day it's Italy vs. Norway.
Group J: A very close group between North Macedonia (11), Belgium (10) and Wales (10) -- though Belgium have played a game less. In October, it's Belgium vs. North Macedonia and Wales vs. Belgium, two games which will have a major influence on the final outcome.
Group K: England (15) have dominated the group, winning all five matches without conceding a goal. They have one game next month, away in Latvia (4). They will qualify with a win if Serbia do not beat both Albania (8) and Andorra (0). A draw cannot see England over the line.
Group L: Croatia and Czechia are locked on 12 points and will battle it out for the top two spots. October's double header begins with Czechia hosting Croatia, and it looks to be a must-win game for the home team as they've played one more match. Croatia also host Gibraltar (0).
- Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Tables
PLAYOFFS
The final four places at the World Cup will be determined via the UEFA playoffs, to be played in March 2026. There is no path to the World Cup through FIFA's inter-confederation playoffs.
The UEFA playoffs involve 16 teams: the 12 runners-up plus the four best-ranked group winners from the UNL, who did not finish in the top two in World Cup qualifying. This creates four routes, each with four teams featuring a one-legged semifinal and a final for a place at the World Cup.
The priority order for the four World Cup playoff places through the UNL is: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, England, Norway, Wales, Czechia, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova, San Marino
Of the 14 teams to win their UNL groups, 10 of those were in Pot 1 or 2 for the World Cup qualifying draw -- so on ranking would finish in the top two of their group. If that comes to pass, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova and San Marino would get a playoff place.
Seeding:
Pot 1: World Cup qualifying group runners-up with the best four records
Pot 2: As above, teams fifth to eighth
Pot 3: As above, teams ninth to 12th
Pot 4: UEFA Nations League teams
Semifinals:
Pot 1 vs. Pot 4
Pot 2 vs. Pot 3
North America, Central America, Caribbean (Concacaf)
3 auto + 2 enter playoff
Usually, Concacaf would have six automatic places in qualifying -- but for the 2026 finals three of the six are taken up by the hosts. That leaves three places to be won, plus two spots in the inter-confederation playoff path.
Concacaf saw 32 nations enter the race to make the finals.
Round 1: The four lowest-ranked Concacaf nations battled it out in two-legged ties. Anguilla and British Virgin Islands eliminated Turks and Caicos Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands respectively, both on penalties.
Round 2: The top 28-ranked nations, plus the two winners from Round 1, were drawn into six groups of five teams. Teams played each other only once, rather than home and away. This stage was played in two blocks, in June 2024 and June 2025.
The six group winners and six group runners-up moved on to Round 3.
Advanced: Bermuda, Costa Rica, Curaçao, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
Round 3: The 12 remaining teams were drawn into three groups of four teams. This phase started in September and will be completed in October and November. The group winners will qualify for the World Cup, with the two runners-up with the best record going on to take part in the inter-confederation playoffs.
- Check out the fixtures and results | Latest tables
What was decided this week?
The third round only kicked off Sept. 4, so we've a way to go yet. This is how it looks heading into October.
Group A: Suriname (4) sit in first place, but it's a tight group. In October, it's Suriname vs. Guatemala (1), El Salvador (3) vs. Panama (2); and then Panama vs. Suriname, El Salvador vs Guatemala.
Group B: Jamaica (6) are in control of the group ahead of Curaçao (4). Jamaica will qualify in October if they win in Curaçao and at home to Bermuda (0), and Curaçao fail to beat Trinidad and Tobago (1).
Group C: Honduras (4) sit in first, but any of the four teams could yet top this group. In October, it's Nicaragua (1) vs. Haiti (2), Honduras vs. Costa Rica (2); and then Honduras v Haiti, Costa Rica v Nicaragua.
Asia (AFC)
8 auto + 1 enters playoff
This is by some distance the most complicated route to the World Cup, with a layered qualifying process featuring a dual group stage to find the eight automatic qualifiers. But the main part will be done and dusted in June.
Round 1: The 20 lowest-ranked nations played two-legged ties in October 2023. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore and Yemen advanced.
Round 2: Those 10 winners joined the 26 best-ranked nations. The 36 teams were drawn into nine groups of four teams, with the top two nations going through to Round 3. This stage began in November 2023 and was completed in June 2024.
Advanced: Australia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan
Round 3: We're now left with 18 nations, drawn into three groups of six teams. Matches began in September 2024 and the round is completed on Tuesday.
The group winners and runners-up took the first six places at the 2026 World Cup and their campaign is complete.
Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup on March 20, followed by Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Australia.
- Check out the results | Final tables
Round 4: The six teams in this stage were drawn into two groups of three. They will play each other once, so two matches, in one host country in October.
Group A: Qatar (hosts), United Arab Emirates, Oman
Group B: Saudi Arabia (hosts), Iraq, Indonesia
The group winners take the final two automatic places at the World Cup.
The two runners-up continue on to Round 5.
Round 5: A two-legged tie in November 2025 to earn the place in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Oceania (OFC)
1 auto + 1 enters playoff
All 11 members of the OFC region took part.
Round 1: The four lowest-ranked nations played a knockout format (two semis and a final) in Samoa in September 2024.
American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga were in this round. Samoa beat Tonga 2-1 in the final to advance.
Round 2: Samoa and the seven top-ranked nations were drawn into two groups of four nations, with matches played in October and November 2024. Games were held in Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
The top two countries in each group -- New Caledonia, Tahiti, New Zealand and Fiji -- went on to Round 3.
- Check out the results here | Final tables
Round 3: The four remaining countries then played a one-legged knockout format (two semis and a final) in New Zealand in March 2025.
Semifinals, March 21
New Caledonia 3-0 Tahiti
New Zealand 7-0 Fiji
Final, March 24
New Caledonia 0-3 New Zealand
As winners of the final, New Zealand qualified for the World Cup, with losers New Caledonia moving onto the inter-confederation playoffs.
Inter-confederation playoffs (2 places)
The playoffs, to be held in March 2026, will determine the final two qualifiers.
Six countries will take part. Each of the five confederations (apart from UEFA) will provide one country. The host confederation (so for this edition Concacaf) receives a second slot.
1 Africa
1 Asia
2 Concacaf
1 Oceania (New Caledonia)
1 South America (Bolivia)
The two nations with the best FIFA World Ranking will be seeded and go straight into one of the two finals.
The four other countries will be drawn to play a semifinal, feeding through to play a seed for one of the two places at the World Cup.
The playoffs are due to be held in one of the World Cup host nations as a test event.