The 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to take shape as we know the majority of the teams who will be competing, with 28 nations booking their places so far.
England became the first European team to reach next summer’s tournament in North America following a 5-0 win over Latvia on Tuesday night. Thomas Tuchel’s side, who are yet to lose a game or concede a goal in six qualifiers, will go there as one of the favourites.
A number of African nations also secured qualification this week, including Cape Verde, who will be the second smallest country to ever compete at a World Cup. South Africa will make their first appearance since hosting in 2010, while Ivory Coast return after a 12-year absence.
CAPE VERDE, POPULATION 560,000, QUALIFY FOR A FIRST-EVER WORLD CUP 🇨🇻
The second-smallest nation ever to achieve that feat. Every US state has a bigger population, yet the Blue Sharks are on their way to football's big dance 🦈
Soak up these scenes 💙pic.twitter.com/aR2KMRLteE
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 13, 2025
Ghana and Senegal also qualified following wins this week, while Cameroon and Nigeria will have to go through the play-offs after finishing second in their respective groups.
In Asia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar came through the round robin stage of qualifying to reach the World Cup. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates will now face off to determine which side goes to the inter-confederation play-offs.
We will find out the next tranche of teams in the November international break, with the likes of Norway, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Switzerland on the cusp of qualification. We will also find out which three CONCACAF sides will join co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA.
The full 48-team lineup will finally become clear in March, which is when the play-offs will take place.
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Every nation to have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup 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
CONMEBOL:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
OFC:
- New Zealand
UEFA:
- England
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