FIFA World Cup 2026 status check: With 42 slots out of 48 confirmed, which are the teams still in contention across all continents?

FIFA World Cup 2026 status check: With 42 slots out of 48 confirmed, which are the teams still in contention across all continents?

The final roster of teams for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearly set after the November international window came to a close this week. So far, 42 teams have been confirmed, and the draw for the main tournament is set to take place on December 5.

But the last six teams will be confirmed only in March. Two of those will be through the playoff tournament featuring six teams from non-European confederations, while four European teams will come through the 16-team UEFA playoff competition.

Asia

Direct slots filled: 8/8

Teams qualified: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan

In playoffs: 1 – Iraq

The usual suspects from the region have made the cut, led by regulars Japan and South Korea. Jordan and Uzbekistan will be playing at the World Cup for the first time. Iraq will have to come through a 6-team playoff tournament.

Africa:

Direct slots filled: 9/9

Teams qualified: Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

In playoffs: 1 – Congo DR

Some big shocks in Africa this time as Nigeria and Cameroon – two regulars in recent decades – will not be at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, Cape Verde pulled off a surprise by qualifying for the first time. Congo have entered the 6-team playoff tournament.

Europe:

Direct slots filled: 12/16

Teams qualified: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland

In playoffs: 4

Could Italy miss out again? After failing to qualify in 2018 and 2022, the Azzurri are in danger of an unwanted hat-trick. They are among the 16 teams that must come through a 4-path playoff next year. Italy will host Northern Ireland and Wales play Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the winners of these matches earning one of the four slots.

In the other three pathways, it’s Ukraine vs Sweden and Poland vs Albania, Türkiye vs Romania and Slovakia vs Kosovo, and Denmark vs North Macedonia and Czechia vs Republic of Ireland.

Among these teams, Denmark were the ones to miss out on a direct slot in the most dramatic fashion as Scotland scored two goals in stoppage time to pip them. Teams like Serbia, Hungary and Greece missed out completely.

North and Central Americas

Qualified as co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA

Direct slots filled: 3/3

Teams qualified: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama

In playoffs: 2- Jamaica, Suriname

As the host confederation, Concacaf is where the surprise stories lie, having six direct slots overall. Curacao became the smallest-ever nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup while Haiti returned after more than five decades. Jamaica and Suriname are in the six-team intercontinental playoff tournament.

South America

Direct slots filled: 6/6

Teams qualified: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

In playoffs: 1 – Bolivia

The usual suspects have made it from South America, with defending champions Argentina topping the charts. Chile, Peru and Venezuela are the three teams to miss out. Bolivia snatched a spot in the playoffs with a famous 1-0 win against Brazil.

Oceania

Direct slots filled: 1/1

Team qualified: New Zealand

In playoffs: 1 – New Caledonia

New Zealand’s qualification from Oceania was never really in doubt, and the playoff spot went to New Caledonia who will feature in the 6-team tournament.