Ecuador is one of the latest teams to qualify for the 2026 World Cup - Photo: REUTERS
These are Japan, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Australia (Asia); the United States, Canada, and Mexico (the host nation); three South American teams: Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador; and New Zealand (Oceania).
The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams. According to the allocation by the International Football Federation (FIFA), Asia will have 8 automatic qualification spots and 1 inter-regional play-off spot; Africa will have 9 automatic qualification spots and 1 play-off spot.
Europe has all 16 slots; North and Central America and the Caribbean have 3 official slots (excluding the host nation) and 2 play-off slots.
South America has 6 automatic qualification spots and 1 play-off spot. Oceania has 1 automatic qualification spot and 1 play-off spot.
Thus, Asia will have 2 remaining tickets to the 2026 World Cup and 1 inter-regional play-off spot. Everything will be decided in the 4th round (play-off), where 6 teams – Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Oman – will compete.
Six teams will be divided into two groups of three teams each. After a round-robin tournament, the top two teams in each group will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The two second-placed teams will play against each other to determine the winner who will represent Asia in the intercontinental play-off.
The South American region still has 3 automatic qualification spots and 1 play-off spot for the World Cup yet to be determined. Based on the current situation, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Colombia are likely to secure their places when the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America resume in September. The play-off spot could go to Venezuela.
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the Oceania region have concluded, with New Zealand securing their place in North America and New Caledonia advancing to the inter-regional play-offs.
Europe and Africa are in the tense stages of World Cup qualifiers, and it's still uncertain which teams will qualify. The first tickets for the 2026 World Cup from Europe and Africa are expected to be revealed as early as the matches in September this year.
The first 13 teams to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Asia (6): Iran, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Australia.
Hosts (3): USA, Mexico and Canada.
South America (3): Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador.
Oceania (1): New Zealand.
Of these 13 teams, Jordan and Uzbekistan are making their first appearance in the World Cup. With the 2026 World Cup increasing to 48 teams, experts predict that many brand-new teams will join the tournament next year.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xac-dinh-13-doi-doat-ve-du-world-cup-2026-20250611075548888.htm
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