2026 World Cup: Which teams will claim the final 6 places?
The race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing to a close. Here's how it's looking around the globe.
Reacting to the 2026 World Cup playoff draw: Who will fill the final six spots?
Six spots remain up for grabs at the 2026 World Cup, with four to emerge from Europe and a further two from an intercontinental playoff. What's the draw, and who will advance? We make our picks.
Could the Rep. of Ireland cause an upset in the World Cup qualifiers? (2:12)
Wales with the advantage in the World Cup playoffs? (2:41)
World Cup playoff draw: Ireland face Czechia in semifinals
The Republic of Ireland will travel to Czechia in the World Cup European playoff semifinals in March as they discovered their route to next summer's tournament.
WC playoff draw: Italy to face Northern Ireland
Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March but would then need to win on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.
World Cup playoff draw: Wales get Bosnia, likely face Italy in final
Wales will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup playoff semifinals, but they could have to beat Italy if they are to reach next summer's tournament.
World Cup playoff draw: Time, how to watch as Wales, Ireland learn fate
Everything you need to know about the World Cup playoff draw that sees Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland learn their path to next summer's tournament.
World Cup playoff draw explained: Who Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland could face
Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland learn on Thursday who they will play in March's World Cup playoffs. Here's how the draw works and who they could each face.
Scotland's McTominay joins best overhead kicks ever: Rooney, Ronaldo, more
Scotland's Scott McTominay entered the overhead kick hall of fame with his superb strike against Denmark that helped guide his country to their first World Cup since 1998.
Ranked: All 64 national teams that can still win the 2026 World Cup after latest eliminations
There are still 64 national teams that can win the FIFA World Cup next summer. Let's go through them all and rank where they stand.
A week of World Cup miracles: Best stories, wildest celebrations from amazing round of qualifiers
The past week of World Cup qualifiers was a reminder that, when entire nations are gripped by joy and heartbreak, it can be football at its very best.
Haiti reach 2026 World Cup despite manager never setting foot in country
Haiti sealed their place at next summer's World Cup with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua, although their French coach Sebastien Migne has yet to visit the island due to continued unrest.
USMNT dismantles Uruguay to finish '25 on high
Sebastian Berhalter kicked off the scoring with a thunderous strike and Alex Freeman added a pair of first-half goals as the United States ran roughshod over Uruguay in a friendly at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday night.
Leboeuf: No reason for Spain to panic over Turkey draw (1:00)
Burley's message to the World Cup bound Scotland squad (1:30)
Belgium, Spain seal WC spots on dramatic last day
European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finished Tuesday with Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland and Austria securing the region's remaining automatic spots.
Extra-time goals clinch Scotland's 1st WC since '98
A pair of extra-time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean gave Scotland a 4-2 win over Denmark on the last day of UEFA qualifying and a spot in the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
King of the Scotts! McTominay bicycle-kick goal in World Cup qualifier thrills Scotland fans
With a World Cup spot on the line, Scott McTominay delivered a goal for the ages for Scotland against Denmark.
Wales score 7 to secure home playoff semifinal
Skipper Harry Wilson scored a hat trick as rampant Wales secured home semifinal advantage in the World Cup playoffs by crushing North Macedonia 7-1 in Cardiff.
Czech team punished for ignoring fans after 6-0 win
The Czech Republic soccer association stripped Tomás Soucek of his captaincy and denied financial bonuses to national team players as punishment for ignoring their fans.
How Scotland can qualify for 2026 World Cup even if they fail vs. Denmark
Steve Clarke's side are one game away from being the first Scotland side to make the World Cup since 1998 when they face Denmark on Tuesday. Here's how it can happen.
Scotland's Clarke: Facing Denmark is the 'cup final we all wanted' (1:13)
Tuchel vows to call 60 unselected England players
Thomas Tuchel has vowed to video call or visit every overlooked player on England's long list to explain his autumn decisions.
WCQ - UEFA Standings
| Group A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | +13 | 15 |
| Slovakia | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 12 |
| Northern Ireland | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | +1 | 9 |
| Luxembourg | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -12 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Switzerland | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +12 | 14 |
| Kosovo | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 11 |
| Slovenia | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | -5 | 4 |
| Sweden | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -8 | 2 |
| Group C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Scotland | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +6 | 13 |
| Denmark | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +9 | 11 |
| Greece | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 7 |
| Belarus | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -13 | 2 |
| Group D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| France | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +12 | 16 |
| Ukraine | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 10 |
| Iceland | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +2 | 7 |
| Azerbaijan | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -13 | 1 |
| Group E | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Spain | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +19 | 16 |
| Turkey | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 13 |
| Georgia | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -8 | 3 |
| Bulgaria | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -16 | 3 |
| Group F | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Portugal | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +13 | 13 |
| Republic of Ireland | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +2 | 10 |
| Hungary | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +1 | 8 |
| Armenia | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -16 | 3 |
| Group G | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Netherlands | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | +23 | 20 |
| Poland | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +7 | 17 |
| Finland | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -6 | 10 |
| Malta | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -15 | 5 |
| Lithuania | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | -9 | 3 |
| Group H | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Austria | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | +18 | 19 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +10 | 17 |
| Romania | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | +9 | 13 |
| Cyprus | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| San Marino | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -37 | 0 |
| Group I | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Norway | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | +32 | 24 |
| Italy | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | +9 | 18 |
| Israel | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -1 | 12 |
| Estonia | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -13 | 4 |
| Moldova | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -27 | 1 |
| Group J | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Belgium | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | +22 | 18 |
| Wales | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +10 | 16 |
| North Macedonia | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 13 |
| Kazakhstan | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -4 | 8 |
| Liechtenstein | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -31 | 0 |
| Group K | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| England | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | +22 | 24 |
| Albania | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 14 |
| Serbia | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 13 |
| Latvia | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -10 | 5 |
| Andorra | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -13 | 1 |
| Group L | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Croatia | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +22 | 22 |
| Czechia | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +10 | 16 |
| Faroe Islands | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | +2 | 12 |
| Montenegro | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -9 | 9 |
| Gibraltar | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -25 | 0 |