The stage is almost set for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as 42 nations have managed to qualify for next summer’s tournament in North America.
This week’s conclusion of the UEFA group stage of the qualification campaign saw 11 European teams join England, who punched their ticket last month.
Scotland were among the sides to do so, beating Denmark in dramatic fashion to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Kieran Tierney scored in stoppage time to put the Jocks 3-2 up before Kenny McLean lobbed Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line to seal the deal.
The final four European spots will determined by the play-offs in March. Wales, Northern ireland and the Republic of Ireland are among the 16 teams that will be fighting for a seat on the plane when the semi-finals and finals take place in March.
Meanwhile in CONCACAF, Curaçao qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history after holding Jamaica to a goalless draw at home, while Haiti have done it for the first time in over 50 years after beating Suriname 2-0. Panama also won their group to secure automatic qualification.
As the best ranked runners-up, Jamaica and Suriname will head to the intercontinental play-offs, a six-team tournament that will also feature Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq and New Caledonia and also takes place in March. Only then will we know the full complement of countries taking part.
Read – Every UEFA nation to qualify for the World Cup 2026 play-offs
Every nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far:
Co-hosts:
- Canada
- Mexico
- USA
AFC:
- Australia
- Iran
- Japan
- Jordan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- Uzbekistan
CAF:
- Algeria
- Cape Verde
- Egypt
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Morocco
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tunisia
CONCACAF:
- Curaçao
- Haiti
- Panama
CONMEBOL:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
OFC:
- New Zealand
UEFA:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- England
- France
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Scotland
- Spain
- Switzerland
Scotland have qualified for their first #FIFAWorldCup since 1998! 🏴#WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/CdM0iQd9xm
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 18, 2025
When will the World Cup draw be held?
The final draw will take place on Friday, 5th December 2025 in Washington DC, USA.
When does the World Cup take place?
The tournament kicks off on Thursday, 11th June next year and concludes with the final on Sunday, 19th July.
Read – Scotland seal World Cup berth, Wales heading to play-offs
Read – Five of the greatest footballers who never played in a World Cup
See Also – When are the World Cup qualifying play-offs?
