Nations Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (as of October 14)

The two-year qualifying marathon for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearing its thrilling finish line, and the global picture is beginning to take shape.

After another dramatic round of international fixtures, 28 nations have now punched their golden tickets to next year’s football extravaganza set to unfold across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

From Cairo to Canberra, from São Paulo to Seoul, the world’s elite footballing nations are converging on North America.

And in a twist that underlines the continent’s growing might, Africa has emerged as the biggest source of fresh qualifiers this week, capping off its main qualifying phase on Tuesday.

Among the latest teams to book their seats at the global table are Qatar, England, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and South Africa, each confirming their passage after a gripping final day of action.

The 2026 edition marks a new era for world football, an expanded 48-team World Cup, up from the traditional 32 that graced Qatar 2022.

Nations Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (as of October 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

That brings the total to 28 teams confirmed, with powerhouses like Portugal, France, and Spain now circling their final chance to lock in places next month.

The November window promises high drama as ten teams are on the brink of qualification glory.

Austria could end their two-decade drought with victory in Cyprus, Croatia need only a point at home to the Faroe Islands, and France will qualify if they defeat Ukraine in Paris.

In Concacaf, Honduras and Jamaica each have a chance to seal historic returns to the world stage with wins in their upcoming fixtures.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands are one win away from confirming their place, Norway’s Erling Haaland is closing in on his first World Cup appearance, and Portugal, despite a late setback against Hungary, can clinch qualification with victory in Dublin.

Spain and Switzerland could also secure their tickets depending on results in Georgia and Kosovo respectively.

With 28 nations already in and another 20 fighting for the remaining seats, the road to North America is heating up fast. The only question now is: who will join the party next?