World Cup 2026 qualifying situation worldwide

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers have now determined 34/48 participating teams and it is expected that we will have to wait until March 2026 to fully reveal the talents.

The Netherlands and Germany are the two latest teams to win tickets to the 2026 World Cup - Photo: REUTERS

On the morning of November 18, the 2026 World Cup confirmed two more teams, Germany and the Netherlands. Thus, there are currently 34 teams that have qualified to participate in the biggest football festival on the planet in North America next summer.

They are the US, Mexico, Canada (host); Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia (Asia); Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cabo Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal (Africa); Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay (South America); New Zealand (Oceania); England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands (Europe).

Three regions complete 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Messi and his teammates soon won tickets to the 2026 World Cup - Photo: REUTERS

Currently, the 2026 World Cup qualifying round has only really ended in South America, Africa and Oceania. South America has found 6 representatives for next year's World Cup: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay. The inter-regional play-off spot also belongs to Bolivia.

In Oceania, the regional qualifiers ended in March 2025 with the only official ticket belonging to New Zealand while New Caledonia won the inter-regional play-off spot.

Africa has confirmed the official tickets to the 2026 World Cup belonging to Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Meanwhile, Congo won the ticket to the inter-regional play-off.

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers are still underway in Asia, Europe and North, Central and American Caribbean (CONCACAF). Asia is entering the final round of the inter-regional play-offs, while Europe and CONCACAF have yet to finalize their places.

Europe has 5 official slots left

Switzerland is expected to win a ticket to the 2026 World Cup - Photo: REUTERS

According to FIFA's allocation, Europe will have a total of 16 tickets to the 2026 World Cup. The European Football Federation (UEFA) organizes the qualifying round and divides it into 12 official tickets and 4 play-off tickets.

Currently, Europe has determined 7/12 official tickets including: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands. It is expected that before the FIFA Days series in November ends, Europe will determine 5 more tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

According to experts, these 5 tickets will most likely belong to Switzerland (Group B), Denmark or Scotland (Group C), Spain (Group E), Austria (Group H) and Belgium (Group J). The last 5 names to officially win tickets from the European region will be determined in the early morning of November 19.

After revealing the 12 teams with official tickets to the 2026 World Cup, Europe will also determine the 16 teams to compete in the play-off round. From these 16 teams, the final 4 spots for the 2026 World Cup will be selected. And these 4 representatives will only be determined in March 2026.

CONCACAF has 3 spots left

UAE is competing for an inter-regional play-off ticket with Iraq - Photo: REUTERS

Outside of Europe, only CONCACAF has undetermined official spots. Currently, the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the CONCACAF region is entering its final stage. According to the schedule until the morning of November 19, the three representatives of this region (except the three host teams) will be determined when the final round of matches of the groups ends.

Suriname, Curacao and Honduras are dominating the race to top Groups A, B and C, thereby securing a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The two second-placed teams with the best results in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup 2026 qualifying will qualify for the inter-regional play-offs.

Asia has found 8 places to attend the 2026 World Cup: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. But there is still 1 inter-regional play-off spot that has not been filled. Iraq and UAE have drawn 1-1 in the first leg of the play-off. The two teams will play again on the evening of November 18 to find the winner and represent Asia in the inter-regional play-off.

On December 5, FIFA will conduct the draw for the 2026 World Cup in the US. At that time, only 42 teams have been determined for the 2026 World Cup.

2026 World Cup qualifying schedule:

- Oceania: Ended.

- Asia: Only the inter-regional play-off teams will be determined on November 18.

- Europe: 12/16 official teams will be determined on November 19. The remaining 4 spots will be determined in March 2026.

- Africa: Ended

- South America: Finished.

- North Central America Caribbean: 3 official slots determined on November 19.

The inter-regional play-offs to determine the 2026 World Cup tickets will take place in March 2026 with the participation of 6 teams. Asia, Africa, Oceania and South America, each region has 1 representative. North America has 2 teams. According to the competition format, 6 teams will play a knockout match to select the 2 best teams, winning tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tinh-hinh-vong-loai-world-cup-2026-tren-toan-the-gioi-20251118071605323.htm