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The United States Men's National Team has qualified for the 2026 World Cup because the USA is a joint host of the event. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2026 World Cup: What teams are in, who's close and key qualifying matches to watch

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 4:31 PM ET

Only eight months remain until the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament begins. And just two months remain until FIFA determines which teams will face each other in the opening rounds of the 48-team tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico (June 11-July 19, 2026).

Which teams have already sealed their spots? Which ones are on the brink? And what key matches are worth following as the World Cup field begins to take shape?

Here's a breakdown of the qualification process. (The number of teams that will qualify from each region are in parentheses):

North America (six)

As joint hosts, the United States, Mexico and Canada qualified for the World Cup automatically. That's why you're seeing all three playing friendly matches this fall. It's their way of staying in shape without the rigor of the full qualifying process.

Even with those three out of the picture, North American qualifying is fiercely competitive. Twelve teams remain of the 41 in the region; three of them will qualify directly for the World Cup while two will advance to intercontinental playoffs and continue their fight there.

Jamaica, Honduras and Suriname — yes, Suriname, despite its location in northern South America — compete as part of the North American region. Those teams are in pole position for the direct qualification spots. Curacao and El Salvador, meanwhile, are leading the fight for the intercontinental playoffs. Behind them, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala will battle to get back in the fight.

Key matches: Honduras vs. Costa Rica (Thursday, Oct. 9 at 10 p.m. ET), Panama vs Suriname (Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 10 p.m. ET)

South America (six)

Along with Oceania, this is the only region whose World Cup spots are all but decided. The continent will send six representatives to the tournament (Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay).

Meanwhile, Bolivia, is in limbo. As the seventh-place finisher in the region, it will advance to intercontinental playoffs and fight for its spot against other "near-missers" from around the world.

Key matches: None — it's all wrapped up.

Europe (16)

Europe, one of the deepest and most competitive soccer regions of all, is set for a race to the finish of its World Cup qualification process. There are still too many variables at play to predict which teams will get each of its 16 guaranteed positions, but several are on a good path while others face a steep climb.

Slovakia, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, England and Croatia are undefeated in qualifying play and on track to make the World Cup with ease. (Of that list, Norway is the clear standout. It's led by Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.)

But World Cup regulars Serbia, Sweden, Germany and Italy are struggling to find their footing against their composed peers. Italy, in particular, is in a depressing case — despite winning the European Championship in 2021, it could miss out on the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Key matches: Sweden vs. Switzerland (Friday, Oct. 10 at 2:45 p.m. ET), Serbia vs. Albania (Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2:45 p.m. ET), Estonia vs. Italy (Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2:45 p.m. ET), Northern Ireland vs. Germany (Monday, Oct. 13 at 2:45 p.m. ET)

Africa (nine)

The Africa region will finalize the majority of its World Cup participants during the international break.

Morocco, the last World Cup's surprise semifinalists, has qualified already; Tunisia and Egypt have joined it. Algeria and Ghana are hot on their heels and should confirm their spots within the next few days. But the rest of the field is wide open, with Senegal battling Congo, Benin battling South Africa, Cape Verde battling Cameroon and the Ivory Coast battling Gabon for the remaining spots available.

Key matches: Cameroon vs. Angola (Monday, Oct. 13 at noon ET), Nigeria vs. Benin (Tuesday, Oct. 14 at noon ET), Gabon vs. Burundi (Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. ET)

Asia (eight)

Asia has eight direct spots and one intercontinental playoff spot available to it in 2026, and it has filled the majority of the spots already. Iran, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Jordan and Uzbekistan have booked their places in the tournament. (Uzbekistan is the clear outlier here. This will be its first World Cup appearance.)

Oman, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia are still fighting over the final two confirmed spots. It looks like Saudi Arabia and Oman are the most likely to clinch them, but there are plenty of games left in the schedule and anything could happen.

Key matches: UAE vs Oman (Saturday, Oct. 11 at 1:15 p.m. ET), Saudi Arabia vs. Iraq (Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 2:45 p.m. ET)

Oceania (one)

Much like South America, Oceania wrapped up its qualification process early. New Zealand is confirmed as its one guaranteed participant, while New Caledonia will advance to the intercontinental playoff round.

Key matches: None — it's all wrapped up.

A mini-tournament involving six teams will decide the final two spots in the 48-team World Cup.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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