David GOMBE
The two-year qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup is almost reaching its climax, with multiple nations securing tickets in next year’s football carnival.
The most recent nations to make it to the world cup have mostly come from Africa, which concluded the main phase of the region’s qualifying process on Tuesday.
Qatar, England, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and South Africa all secured their World Cup slot after Tuesday’s round of qualifiers, taking the total number of claimed spots up to 28. Portugal could have made it 29, but conceded a stoppage-time equalizer against Hungary in a UEFA qualifier on Tuesday, leaving them stuck on the brink.
The expanded 2026 World Cup will feature 48 nations, a huge jump up from the 32 that participated in Qatar 2022.
As October’s qualifiers play out, 28 nations have already booked their tickets to the global showpiece due in USA, Canada and Mexico next year.
Here is a complete list of every country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as of the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 14:
Host nations: Canada, Mexico, United States
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
Concacaf: None yet
Europe: England
Oceania: New Zealand
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
Who could clinch a 2026 spot next?
At the moment, there are 10 teams (mostly hailing from Europe) that could seal slots at the 2026 World Cup in November:
Austria: After missing out on six straight men’s World Cups, Austria could clinch a berth next month. A win on Nov. 15 at Cyprus combined with Bosnia and Herzegovina failing to defeat Romania would mean party time in Vienna.
Croatia: The Faroe Islands’ shock win over the Czech Republic on Sunday means that Croatia needs just one more point to win Group L and qualify for an eighth straight World Cup. The Croats host the Faroese on Nov. 14 in Rijeka.
France: “Les Bleus” nearly won UEFA’s Group D after just four rounds of games, but will have to wait until November for a shot at finishing the job. France hosts second-place Ukraine in Paris on Nov. 13, and a win would guarantee the hosts a spot at the World Cup.
Honduras: “Los Catrachos” have a path to clinch in the next round of play in Concacaf’s Group C. A win at Nicaragua on Nov. 13 combined with a draw between Haiti and Costa Rica in a game played earlier that same day would give Honduras entry into their fourth World Cup ever.
Jamaica: The “Reggae Boyz” 4-0 win over Bermuda put them in prime position in Concacaf’s Group B. A win on Nov. 13 at Trinidad and Tobago, combined with a Curaçao loss at Bermuda, would be enough for Jamaica to clinch their spot.
Netherlands: The Dutch control their own destiny in UEFA’s Group G. A win on Nov. 14 at Poland would clinch a place at next summer’s tournament for the “Oranje.”
Norway: The Norwegians have been a surprise in Group I, with Erling Haaland and Co. close to mathematical certainty of a World Cup spot. If Norway’s result against Estonia on Nov. 13 is superior to what Italy can do against Moldova, the job will be done.
Portugal: Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time equalizer for Hungary left Portugal frustrated, but they’re still highly likely to qualify. A road win on Nov. 13 over the Republic of Ireland would clinch their berth, as would Hungary failing to defeat Armenia earlier that same day.
Spain: Nov. 15 could be the day for Spain, who need a win at Georgia plus a little help. If they can make it five wins from five games while Bulgaria avoids defeat against Turkey, “La Roja” will clinch the top spot in Group E.
Switzerland: The Swiss will head into the November window with a chance at clinching in UEFA’s Group B. All they need to do is pick up a better result than Kosovo on Nov. 15. A Swiss win plus Kosovo draw, or Swiss draw and Kosovo loss, will settle the issue.
