Football’s grandest carnival is set to break new ground in 2026, with an unprecedented 48 nations battling it out across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The tournament has already taken shape, with 17 countries punching their golden ticket, while several giants edge closer to sealing their destiny.
The Early Birds Who Made It
The list of confirmed participants reads like a parade of powerhouses and rising challengers:
- Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
- Asia’s trailblazers: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan
- Africa’s flag-bearer: Morocco
- Oceania’s hope: New Zealand
- South America’s heavyweights: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
Europe and Concacaf, meanwhile, are still sharpening their swords for the battles ahead.
Who’s Next in Line?
The coming days could be historic, with three African titans on the brink of qualification:
- Algeria: Victory over Guinea in Casablanca on Monday, coupled with Uganda’s slip at home to Somalia would confirm the Desert Foxes’ fifth trip to the World Cup stage.
- Egypt: The Pharaohs stand just one win away. A Tuesday triumph in Ouagadougou against Burkina Faso would end their eight-year wait after the heartbreak of 2022.
- Tunisia: Leading Group H with daylight to spare, the Carthage Eagles can clinch by beating Equatorial Guinea on Monday—or by simply watching Namibia falter against São Tomé and Príncipe.
The Bigger Picture
The race to North America is a symphony of drama, from Asian underdogs rising to the challenge, to African giants rediscovering their roar, and South America’s relentless grip on global football tradition.
