The 2026 World Cup is getting closer, and more of its participants are gradually being confirmed. In this October FIFA window, Africa and Asia finished their qualifiers, with only their representatives for the international play-off yet to be determined, while England became the first European team to secure a spot in the next World Cup.
After Morocco and Tunisia secured their qualifications in the previous window, CAF concluded its qualifying process and determined its other six qualifiers. The first to do so was Egypt with its victory in the penultimate matchday by 0-3 against Djibouti, finishing atop Group A with 26 points (5 ahead of Burkina Faso). One day later, Algeria would win Group G with 25 points (7 ahead of Uganda), after defeating Somalia by the same score.
On the final matchday, Ghana narrowly defeated Comoros and claimed the top spot in Group I with 25 points (6 ahead of Madagascar). Just 24 hours later, with a comfortable 3-0 win at home against Swaziland, Cape Verde delivered a major surprise by winning Group D with 23 points, ahead of the favorite Cameroon (19), qualifying for the World Cup for the first time.
Finally, South Africa, Ivory Coast, and Senegal were the last to confirm their tickets to the next World Cup. The South Africans narrowly won Group C, edging out Nigeria by just one point (18 to 17) thanks to a 3-0 victory over Rwanda. Meanwhile, the Ivorians also suffered until the end: their 3-0 win over Kenya left them atop Group F with 26 points, just one ahead of Gabon. Meanwhile, with a convincing 4-0 win, the Senegalese secured Group B, two points ahead of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (24 to 22).
With its 9 qualifiers already confirmed, the African confederation must determine its representative in the play-off, which will be decided among Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
On the AFC side, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will once again be present at a World Cup, as both teams emerged victorious in their respective fourth-round triangulars. The Qataris drew 0-0 with Oman and defeated United Arab Emirates 2-1, while the Saudis did the same by defeating Indonesia 2-3 and drawing 0-0 with Iraq, qualifying by having more goals scored.
With its 8 qualifiers already confirmed, the Asian confederation must determine its representative in the play-off, which will be decided between UAE and Iraq.
Last but not least, England dominated Group K of the UEFA Qualifiers. After thrashing Latvia 0-5, it finished first with a perfect score (18 points in 6 matches) and without conceding a goal. With this impeccable performance, the English team left Albania, its closest pursuer with 11 points, with no mathematical chance of stealing direct qualification with two matches remaining.
