Qualification: a record 48 national teams will participate in the men’s soccer World Cup in 2026 in North America. There are 211 FIFA countries in six continental zones that distribute the 48 starting certificates by playing qualification matches in the period 2023 – 2025.
CONCACAF
From March 18, 2024 to November 18, 2025. A total of 32 (of 35) CONCACAF nations participate. Six, seven or eight North American, Central American, and the Caribbean countries qualify, including hosts nations USA, Canada and Mexico. There are three rounds: preliminary knock-outs, and two group stages, apart from the intercontinental play-offs. See match schedule, dates, fixtures, standings, results, draws, format, and teams related to the three qualifying rounds on the FIFA CONCACAF qualifying continent.
CONMEBOL
In South America, the FIFA qualifiers for the World Cup football run from September 7, 2023 to September 9, 2025. A total of 10 CONMEBOL nations participate. Six to seven South American countries will qualify. There is one single round (apart from the FIFA intercontinental play-offs). Click for the standings of the main round group, all match dates, results, national teams, the format, and further information about these FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers for the final tournament in 2026 in North America.
UEFA
In Europe, the FIFA qualifiers for the World Cup football run from March 17, 2025 to March 31, 2026. A total of 55 (54 if Russia is excluded) UEFA nations participate. Sixteen European countries will qualify. There is one group stage (Round 1), followed by the European play-offs. UEFA nations do not participate in FIFA intercontinental play-offs. Click for the standings of the European qualifying groups, the match schedule with dates, times, results, teams, format, and further information about the UEFA qualifiers.
AFC
In Asia, the FIFA qualifiers for the World Cup football run from October 12, 2023 to November, 2025. A total of 46 AFC nations participate. Eight or nine Asian countries will qualify. There is one preliminary knock-out stage (Round 1), one main group stage (Round 2), a second group stage (Round 3), followed by the Asian play-offs, plus the FIFA intercontinental play-offs. Click for the standings of the qualifying groups in Asia, the schedule with all match dates, times, results, teams, format, and more AFC qualifiers info.
CAF
In Africa, the FIFA qualifiers for the World Cup football run from November 13, 2023 to November 18, 2025. A total of 54 CAF nations participate. Nine or ten African countries will qualify. There are two qualification rounds. Firstly there is the main group stage, and secondly the continental play-offs. This is, for one African football nation, followed by the FIFA intercontinental play-offs. Click for the standings of the qualification in Africa, the schedule with all dates, times, results, teams, and the precise format of the CAF qualifiers.
OFC
In Oceania, the FIFA qualifiers for the World Cup football run from September, 2024 to March, 2025. Eleven OFC nations participate. One or two Oceanic countries qualify. There are three qualification rounds. Firstly, the preliminary knock-outs with the lowest ranked teams. Secondly, a group stage. In Round 3, the Oceanic World Cup qualifying play-offs decide on which OFC team qualifies directly, and which has a resit in the intercontinental play-offs. See: match schedule, standings, results, teams, and OFC qualifiers format.
These are the six FIFA Zones and the (minimum) number of World Cup tickets that can be earned per zone:
- UEFA (Europe) | 16
- CAF (Africa) | 9
- AFC (Asia) | 8
- CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean) | 6
- CONMEBOL (South America) | 6
- OFC (Oceania) | 1
Plus 2 more qualifying nations
The other two countries qualify themselves by playing a mini-tournament as the final part of the qualification stage. Six countries are allowed to enter: two from zone CONCACAF, one from zone CAF, one from AFC, one from CONMEBOL, and one from OFC.
Draw 2026 World Cup Soccer qualifiers
The dates, matches, and times of the qualification stage will follow as soon as they are known. This will be after the draw for the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, on a date to be determined in July 2023.
Qualification: more info
Click for more information about the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
