Qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on October 12, 2023, with Asian countries hitting the field for their first matches. Myanmar’s Lwin Moe Aung made history by scoring the very first goal in a 5-1 victory over Macau. The journey to the World Cup is still unfolding, with 45 nations vying for a spot alongside hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada in the 48-team field.
Japan was the first country to secure their place in the tournament on March 20. As of now, 17 nations have qualified, including New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, and Brazil. The road to the World Cup is drawing to a close for all confederations, but the final list of qualifiers is yet to be revealed.
In October, we can expect to see some European countries securing their spots in the World Cup. The African qualifiers will be determined through the final two rounds of the group stage. Meanwhile, Asia will see the final two automatic qualifiers emerging from the fourth round, along with the interconfederation playoff contenders.
Africa’s journey involves nine automatic qualifiers and one team entering the playoffs. With 54 FIFA-affiliated nations initially in the draw, Eritrea later withdrew. The group winners will secure their tickets to the World Cup, with the stage set to conclude with two rounds of matches in October.
Europe’s UEFA qualifiers feature 12 groups competing for direct entry to the World Cup. The group stage matches will continue in October and conclude in November, with the group winners earning their spots. The four best runners-up will enter the playoffs to determine the final World Cup qualifier from UEFA.
In Concacaf, three automatic places are up for grabs, with two teams entering the interconfederation playoffs. The road to the World Cup involves 32 nations initially, with Bermuda, Costa Rica, and Jamaica among those advancing to the next stage. The group winners and runners-up will move on to the final round to secure their places in the World Cup.
Asia’s qualifying process is complex, involving three rounds of matches to determine the eight automatic qualifiers. Japan, Iran, and Australia are among the nations that have already secured their spots. The final two automatic qualifiers will be decided in the upcoming matches, with the remaining teams battling it out for a playoff spot.
South America’s CONMEBOL qualifiers are already decided, with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay among the six nations qualifying directly for the World Cup. Bolivia will enter the interconfederation playoffs to compete for a spot in the tournament.
New Zealand is the sole qualifier from Oceania, securing their place in the World Cup. The interconfederation playoffs will feature teams from different confederations vying for the final two spots in the tournament.
Overall, the race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, with nations from various confederations competing for a chance to showcase their talent on the global stage. The upcoming matches will determine the final qualifiers and set the stage for an exciting tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It’s a thrilling journey filled with anticipation and excitement as teams battle it out for their place in football history.
