The qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is currently underway across various confederations. Here’s an overview of the latest developments:
CONMEBOL (South America):
- Argentina has officially secured its spot in the World Cup after a decisive 4-1 victory over Brazil at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium. Goals from Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone ensured the win. This qualification was confirmed prior to the match due to Bolivia and Uruguay’s draw, which mathematically guaranteed Argentina’s advancement.
AFC (Asia):
- Iran clinched its World Cup berth by drawing 2-2 with Uzbekistan, with Mehdi Taremi scoring both goals. However, Iran’s participation is uncertain due to potential U.S. travel restrictions that could bar them from entering the host country.
OFC (Oceania):
- New Zealand secured the OFC’s World Cup spot by winning the third-round qualifiers, defeating the Solomon Islands 3-1 on aggregate. They will participate in the inter-confederation play-offs for a chance to compete in the World Cup.
UEFA (Europe):
- The European qualifiers are scheduled from March to November 2025. The group stages will commence in March for five-team groups and in September for four-team groups. The play-offs for remaining spots are set for March 2026.
CAF (Africa):
- African qualifiers are ongoing, with group winners earning direct World Cup spots and the best runners-up entering play-offs. Recent matches have seen teams like Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco inch closer to qualification. Algeria’s 5-1 triumph over Mozambique, featuring a hat-trick by Mohamed Amoura, stands out.
CONCACAF (North and Central America, and the Caribbean):
- The qualification process includes a three-round tournament to determine the region’s representatives. As co-hosts, the United States, Mexico, and Canada are automatically qualified.
Inter-Confederation Play-offs:
- Scheduled for March 2026, these play-offs will feature six teams from different confederations competing for two World Cup spots. The format includes single-elimination matches, with extra time and penalties if necessary.
As of March 25, 2025, the confirmed qualifiers are: Argentina, Iran, New Zealand, the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The qualification process will continue throughout 2025, with final spots decided in early 2026.