2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Last updated

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA logo without slogan.svg
Tournament details
Dates7 September 2023 – March 2026
TeamsMaximum of 207 (from 6 confederations)
Tournament statistics
Matches played177
Goals scored462 (2.61 per match)
Attendance3,110,974 (17,576 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Qatar.svg Almoez Ali
(7 goals)
2022
2030
All statistics correct as of 26 March 2024.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification will decide the teams that will join hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Contents

Qualification began on 7 September 2023 with three matches of the CONMEBOL zone played that day. [1] The first goal of the qualification series was scored by Colombian player Rafael Santos Borré.

Slot allocation

On 30 March 2017, the Bureau of the FIFA Council (composed of the FIFA president and the presidents of each of the six confederations) proposed a slot allocation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The recommendation was submitted for the ratification by the FIFA Council. [2] [3]

On 9 May 2017, two days before the 67th FIFA Congress, the FIFA Council approved the slot allocation in a meeting in Manama, Bahrain. This includes an intercontinental play-off tournament involving six teams to decide the last two FIFA World Cup spots. [4]

The ratification of slot allocation also gives the OFC a guaranteed berth in the final tournament for the first time in FIFA World Cup history: the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament in which all six confederations have at least one guaranteed berth.

Qualified teams

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Teams qualified
Teams whose qualification status has yet to be decided
Teams failed to qualify
Teams withdrew or suspended
Not a FIFA member 2026 world cup qualification map.svg
  Teams qualified
  Teams whose qualification status has yet to be decided
  Teams failed to qualify
  Teams withdrew or suspended
  Not a FIFA member
TeamMethod of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearance
Last
time
qualified
Current
consecutive
appearances [note 1]
Previous best
performance
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Hosts14 February 2023 [note 2] 3rd 2022 2Group stage (1986, 2022)
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Hosts14 February 2023 [note 2] 18th 2022 9Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Hosts14 February 2023 [note 2] 12th 2022 2Third place (1930)

Notes

  1. Including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  2. 1 2 3 Although the United bid was selected on 13 June 2018, the automatic berths allocated to the hosts were not confirmed until a decision by the FIFA Council on 14 February 2023. [5]

Qualification process

On 9 May 2017, the FIFA Council approved the slot allocation scheme for the new 48-team final format. [4]

Summary of qualification

World Map FIFA2.svg
ConfederationDirect slotsPlay-off slotsTeams startedTeams eliminatedTeams can still qualifyTeams qualifiedQualifying start dateQualifying next match dateQualifying end date
AFC 81461531012 October 20236 June 2024November 2025
CAF 9153053015 November 2023June 2024November 2025
CONCACAF 3+3232+32300+322 March 20245 June 2024November 2025
CONMEBOL 611001007 September 2023September 2024September 2025
OFC 11110110September 2024September 2024March 2025
UEFA 16055055021 March 202521 March 202531 March 2026
Play-offs 2(6)0(2)0March 2026March 2026March 2026
Total45+36207+3171900+37 September 20235 June 2024March 2026

    Withdrawals

    Eritrea withdrew from qualification prior to playing any matches. [6] [7]

    Format

    Each confederation is responsible for its own qualification tournament, which will consist of at least one round of competition using the following formats (Regulations Article 11.3): [8]

    Tiebreakers

    In the two round-robin formats, the tiebreaker criteria are as follows (Regulations Article 11.5): [8]

    1. Greatest number of points obtained in all group matches (3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss)
    2. Greatest goal differential in all group matches
    3. Most goals scored in all group matches

    Should two or more teams still have equal rank after criteria 1–3 are applied, then the following criteria are used:

    1. Greatest number of points obtained in all matches amongst the concerned teams
    2. Greatest goal differential in all matches amongst the concerned teams
    3. Most goals scored in all matches amongst the concerned teams
    4. Most goals scored away from home in all matches amongst the concerned teams
    5. The best team conduct score using the following table:
      1. First yellow card: –1 point
      2. Second yellow card/indirect red card: –3 points
      3. Direct red card: –4 points
      4. Yellow card and direct red card: –5 points
      Only one score will be applied to any player or team official in any match, e.g. a player who receives a second yellow card will only have –3 points applied and not –4 (–1 for the first and –3 for the second).
    6. Drawing of lots by FIFA

    If the tournament is being held in a single host nation or in neutral territory, then criterion 7 will not be applied (Regulations Article 11.6). [8]

    In the home-and-away knockout format, the team scoring more goals on aggregate wins the tie and advances. If the aggregate score is level, then 30 minutes of extra time will be played. If the score is still level at the end of extra time, the away goals rule will not be applied and the winners will be decided by a penalty shoot-out (Regulations Article 11.9). [8] In the single-leg knockout format, the team scoring more goals in a single match wins and advances. If the teams are tied after regulation, then extra time will be played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if the score is still level (Regulations Article 11.10). [8]

    Confederation qualification

    AFC

    On 1 August 2022, the Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee approved the qualification format for Asia's road to the 2026 World Cup, as well as the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, in preparation for the eight direct spots and the single intercontinental play-off slot allocated to the AFC by FIFA following the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams. [9] The draw for the first round was held on 27 July 2023 at 14:00 MST (UTC+8) at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [10] The draw for the second round took place two hours later.

    The qualification structure is as follows:

    Sri Lanka were suspended in January 2023 [12] and they did not appear in the draw information the AFC released in early July. [13] However, they were re-added with the condition that their federation hold elections at least ten days before qualification starts. [14]

    Current stage (second round)

    Group A Group B Group C

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar (Q)412
    2Flag of India.svg  India 44
    3Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan 44
    4Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 43
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan (Q)412
    2Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 47
    3Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 43
    4Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 41
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 410
    2Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 47
    3Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 44
    4Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 41
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    Group D Group E Group F

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan 49
    2Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 49
    3Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 46
    4Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei (Q)40
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran (Q)410
    2Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan (Q)410
    3Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan (Q)41
    4Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong (Q)41
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq (Q)412
    2Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 47
    3Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 43
    4Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 41
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
    Group G Group H Group I

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 410
    2Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 47
    3Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 45
    4Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan (Q)40
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates (Q)412
    2Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 49
    3Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 43
    4Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal (Q)40
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (Q)412
    2Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 47
    3Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 42
    4Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 41
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024.
    Source: FIFA AFC
    (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

    CAF

    The draw was held on 13 July 2023 at 15:00 GMT (UTC±0) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. [15] [16] All 54 FIFA-affiliated football associations from CAF entered qualification, however Eritrea withdrew before matches began. [17]

    The CAF Executive Committee announced a new African qualification format on 19 May 2023. [18] [19]

    The qualification structure is as follows:

    Current stage (first round)

    Group A Group B Group C
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 26
    2Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 24
    3Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 24
    4Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone 21
    5Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 21
    6Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti 20
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 24
    2Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 24
    3Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 23
    4Flag of Togo.svg  Togo 22
    5Flag of Mauritania.svg  Mauritania 21
    6Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 21
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 24
    2Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 23
    3Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 22
    4Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 22
    5Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 22
    6Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 21
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    Group D Group E Group F
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 24
    2Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 24
    3Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 24
    4Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 22
    5Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 21
    6Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 20
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 13
    2Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 23
    3Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 23
    4Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 23
    5Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo 10
    6Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 00
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 26
    2Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 26
    3Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 23
    4Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 23
    5Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 20
    6Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 20
    Updated to match(es) played on 20 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    Group G Group H Group I
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 26
    2Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 23
    3Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 23
    4Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 23
    5Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 23
    6Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 20
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 26
    2Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 26
    3Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 23
    4Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 23
    5Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia 20
    6Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe 20
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 26
    2Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 24
    3Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 23
    4Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 23
    5Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic 21
    6Flag of Chad.svg  Chad 20
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA
    Ranking of runners-up
    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 26
    2Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 26
    3Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 24
    4Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 24
    5Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 24
    6Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 24
    7Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 23
    8Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 23
    9Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 23
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA

    CONCACAF

    Three nations in CONCACAF—Canada, Mexico and the United States—automatically qualified as host nations. On 28 February 2023, CONCACAF announced the qualifying format for 2026 World Cup qualification. [20]

    Current stage (second round)

    Group A Group B Group C

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 00
    2Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg  Antigua and Barbuda 00
    3Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 00
    4Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda 00
    5Flag of the Cayman Islands.svg  Cayman Islands 00
    First match(es) will be played: 5 June 2024.
    Source: FIFA

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 00
    2Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 00
    3Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis 00
    4Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 00
    5Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 00
    First match(es) will be played: 5 June 2024.
    Source: FIFA

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 00
    2Flag of Curacao.svg  Curaçao 00
    3Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia 00
    4Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados 00
    5Flag of Aruba.svg  Aruba 00
    First match(es) will be played: 5 June 2024.
    Source: FIFA
    Group D Group E Group F

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 00
    2Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 00
    3Flag of Guyana.svg  Guyana 00
    4Flag of Montserrat.svg  Montserrat 00
    5Flag of Belize.svg  Belize 00
    First match(es) will be played: 5 June 2024.
    Source: FIFA

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 00
    2Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 00
    3Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 00
    4Flag of Dominica.svg  Dominica 00
    5Flag of the British Virgin Islands.svg  British Virgin Islands 00
    First match(es) will be played: 5 June 2024.
    Source: FIFA

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 00
    2Flag of Suriname.svg  Suriname 00
    3Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico 00
    4Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 00
    5Flag of Anguilla.svg  Anguilla 00
    First match(es) will be played: 5 June 2024.
    Source: FIFA

    CONMEBOL

    On 22 August 2022, CONMEBOL petitioned FIFA to keep the qualification format which had been used since the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification, viz. all CONMEBOL members play home-and-away round-robin matches against each other. [21] [22] [23] [24] This was approved, with the first games of the qualifiers played in September 2023. [25]

    Before the qualification competition began, Ecuador were deducted 3 points for falsifying birth documents for Byron Castillo in the previous World Cup qualification cycle. [26]

    Current stage

    PosTeamPldPts
    1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 615
    2Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 613
    3Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 612
    4Flag of Venezuela (state).svg  Venezuela 69
    5Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 68
    6Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 67
    7Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay 65
    8Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 65
    9Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia 63
    10Flag of Peru (state).svg  Peru 62
    Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023.
    Source: FIFA

    OFC

    2026 marks the first time OFC will be granted one guaranteed slot in the World Cup, as well as a possible second slot via the inter-confederation play-offs.

    The qualification structure is as follows: [27]

    UEFA

    The UEFA Executive Committee announced a new European qualification format on 25 January 2023. Teams will be drawn into twelve groups of four or five teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The group winners will qualify for the World Cup, while the runners-up will participate in play-off matches. [28]

    Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia's national team is currently suspended and their participation is yet to be confirmed.

    Inter-confederation play-offs

    A play-off tournament involving six teams will be held to decide the last two FIFA World Cup berths: [2] these consist of one team per confederation, except for UEFA, and one additional team from the confederation of the host countries (CONCACAF).

    Two of the teams will be seeded based on the World Rankings, and these seeded teams will play for a FIFA World Cup berth against the winners of the first two knockout games involving the four unseeded teams.

    The four-game tournament is to be played in one or more of the host countries and to be used as a test event for the FIFA World Cup.

    Top goalscorers

    There have been 462 goals scored in 177 matches, for an average of 2.61 goals per match (as of 26 March 2024). Players highlighted in bold are still active in the competition.

    7 goals

    5 goals

    4 goals

    3 goals

    Below are goalscorer lists for all confederations and the inter-confederation play-offs:

    Related Research Articles

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    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)</span> International football competition

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