CONMEBOL and OFC have already confirmed their direct representatives and the play-off, while they are entering decisive stages
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Qualification for the 2026 World Cup enters its decisive stage. CONMEBOL and OFC have already determined their direct qualifiers and the teams that will participate in the international play-off, while UEFA, AFC, and CAF are in their final stages.
So far, 18 national teams have already secured their spots for the World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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The confirmed qualifiers
After the September FIFA window, five new teams joined the list of qualifiers. Below is a brief overview of the qualifiers and how many spots remain to be decided by region.
CONMEBOL (South America)
Qualifiers:
Argentina
Ecuador
Colombia
Uruguay
Brazil
Paraguay
play-off:
Bolivia
CONCACAF (North America and Caribbean)
Qualifiers:
United States [host]
Canada [host]
Mexico [host]
Remaining: 3 direct spots and 2 play-off spots
UEFA (Europe)
Qualifiers: None
Remaining: 16 direct spots
AFC (Asia)
Qualifiers:
Iran
Japan
Uzbekistan
Jordan
South Korea
Australia
Remaining: 2 direct spots and 1 play-off spot
CAF (Africa)
Qualifiers:
Morocco
Tunisia
Remaining: 7 direct spots and 1 play-off spot
OFC (Oceania)
Qualifier:
New Zealand
play-off:
New Caledonia
The intercontinental play-off process will take place in March 2026 and will have two phases: in the semifinals, four teams will face off, and the two winners will play against the highest-ranked teams in the FIFA Ranking for the last spots. So far, New Caledonia (OFC) and Bolivia (CONMEBOL) are already confirmed for this stage, awaiting the representatives from Asia, Africa, and CONCACAF.
Bolivia y Nueva Caledonia son los únicos confirmados en el repechaje
World Cup draw and format
The group stage draw will take place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, although six spots will still be undecided that day: four from UEFA and two from the international play-off, which will be determined in March 2026.
The 23rd edition of the World Cup will feature 48 national teams for the first time. There will be 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top two and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 32. In total, 104 matches will be played over 39 days of competition.
The tournament will open on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico and will conclude on July 19 with the grand final at MetLife Stadium in New York.
