With 21 teams already confirmed for the 2026 World Cup qualification, the race has entered a crucial phase this October.
Across the continents, countries are battling to secure their places in the expanded 48-team tournament to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
In Africa, five teams, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Cabo Verde, and Ghana, have already booked their spots through the 2026 World Cup qualification. Several others, including Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Nigeria, could confirm their participation in the coming days as the final rounds of group matches take place.
In Europe, traditional powerhouses like France, England, Portugal, and Switzerland are within touching distance of the 2026 World Cup qualification. A few results in their favour this week could see them join the growing list of confirmed participants from the continent.
The race in North and Central America remains open after Jamaica and Honduras failed to win their recent matches. The first qualifiers from the region are now expected to emerge in November asthe 2026 World Cup qualification continues across the globe.
In Asia, with Australia already through, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates are competing for the final automatic spots. Meanwhile, New Zealand have advanced from Oceania, while South American sides have already filled their direct qualification places.
Africa already has five confirmed representatives, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Cabo Verde and Ghana, while several others could join them before the end of the week.
Côte d’Ivoire seal qualification by beating Kenya, or if Gabon fail to defeat Burundi.
Senegal will advance with a win over Mauritania, or a draw if Congo DR don’t win big.
In Group C, Benin, South Africa, and Nigeria are all still in contention, with complex goal-margin scenarios likely to determine who progresses.
In Europe, the first nations could confirm their places this week.
France qualify with a win over Iceland if Ukraine fail to beat Azerbaijan.
Switzerland need a victory against Slovenia and a slip by Kosovo.
England will book their ticket on Tuesday with a victory over Latvia, while Portugal can also qualify if they beat Hungary and Armenia fail to win.
No Concacaf nation has yet secured a place after Honduras and Jamaica dropped points this week.
Group leaders include Suriname, Panama, Curaçao, Jamaica, Haiti, and Honduras, with the first confirmed qualifiers expected in November.
With Australia already through, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq are fighting for the remaining two automatic slots.
The UAE will qualify if they avoid defeat to Qatar, while Qatar will progress if they win.
Saudi Arabia can qualify with a draw against Iraq, but Iraq must win to stay alive.
New Zealand have already booked their place from Oceania, while New Caledonia will enter the intercontinental play-offs.
In South America, all six direct spots are filled, but Bolivia remain alive for the play-offs.
The qualification picture is now clearer — and by the end of October, the world will know most of the 48 nations heading to Canada, Mexico, and the United States next summer.
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