2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Process: A Guide

Teams and Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification process will determine the 32 teams that will join hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States at the tournament in 2026. The qualification process will begin in September 2023 and will conclude in November 2025.

Qualification Process by Region

CAF (Africa): 9 Teams

Nine African teams will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualification process will consist of five rounds, with the final round featuring 10 teams competing for the nine available spots.

AFC (Asia): 8 Teams

Eight Asian teams will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualification process will consist of three rounds, with the final round featuring 18 teams competing for the eight available spots.

CONMEBOL (South America): 6 Teams

Six South American teams will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualification process will consist of a single round-robin league, with the top six teams automatically qualifying for the tournament.

UEFA (Europe): 13 Teams

Thirteen European teams will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualification process will consist of ten groups, with the top two teams from each group automatically qualifying for the tournament. The third-placed teams will advance to a play-off round, with three teams ultimately qualifying.

CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean): 3 Teams

Three CONCACAF teams will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, due to hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically qualifying. The qualification process will consist of three rounds, with the final round featuring six teams competing for the three available spots.

OFC (Oceania): 1 Team

One Oceanian team will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through a play-off against the fourth-placed team from the CONCACAF qualification process.