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2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification: The Road to the Finals

The qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been underway since October 2023, with minor nations from the Asian confederation playing their first round of matches. As we approach the halfway mark, let’s take a look at where each confederation stands in their quest for a spot in the finals.

Europe (UEFA)

• 12 automatic spots + 4 via confederation playoff
• 55 European nations competing, with Russia suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine
• Group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup
• UEFA playoffs to determine final four spots

South America (CONMEBOL)

• 6 automatic spots + 1 enters playoff
• All 10 nations play each other home and away
• Top six nations qualify directly to the finals
• Seventh-placed team will enter intercontinental playoffs

North America, Central America, Caribbean (Concacaf)

• 3 automatic spots + 2 enter playoff
• 32 nations competing, with hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada taking three of the six automatic spots
• Round 1: Four lowest-ranked nations battle it out in two-legged ties
• Round 2: Top 28-ranked nations + two winners from Round 1 compete in six groups of five teams

Africa (CAF)

• 9 automatic spots + 1 enters playoff
• 54 FIFA-affiliated nations competing, with Eritrea withdrawing
• Round 1: Eight groups of six nations + one group of five
• Round 2: Four best runners-up enter playoffs for one spot in intercontinental playoffs

Asia (AFC)

• 8 automatic spots + 1 enters playoff
• Layered qualifying process with dual group stage
• Round 1: 20 lowest-ranked nations play two-legged ties
• Round 2: 10 winners + 26 best-ranked nations compete in nine groups of four teams

Oceania (OFC)

• 1 automatic spot + 1 enters playoff
• All 11 members of the OFC region competing
• Round 1: Four lowest-ranked nations play knockout format
• Round 2: Winner + seven top-ranked nations compete in two groups of four nations

Intercontinental Playoffs

• Six countries competing for two spots
• Host confederation (Concacaf) receives second slot
• Two nations with best FIFA World Ranking seeded and go straight into finals
• Four other countries drawn to play semifinal, feeding through to play a seed for one of the two spots

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is long and winding, but the excitement is building as teams battle it out for a spot in the finals. Stay tuned for more updates as the qualification process unfolds!