Dailybreak
Dailybreak
  • Spin
  • Sweepstakes
  • Sign In
  • Games
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Laugh
  • Family
  • Spin
  • Sweepstakes
  • How It Works
  • Support
  • Breaktime Media
  • Careers

Your Guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers

Learn all about the most competitive matches in international football on the road to the world's biggest game.

 

What Are the Qualifiers?

Before the FIFA World Cup™ begins, countries compete to earn a place in the tournament. These games are known as the qualifiers, and determine which 45 countries get to play. The hosts are already in, which means Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically qualify.

Different Regions, Different Systems

For 2026, the 48 team slots are divided like this:
  • Europe: 16

  • Africa: 9½

  • Asia: 8½

  • South America: 6½

  • North/Central America & Caribbean: 6 (plus the 3 hosts)

  • Oceania: 1½

Those “½” places lead to playoffs between teams from different continents. These matches are some of the most dramatic of the qualifiers, with everything riding on a single result.

Six Federations

The road to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ depends on where a country is located, and the way qualifiers are played varies greatly. There are the six regions, or confederations, and each confederation gets a set number of qualifying spots. Because teams only compete against others in their region, the paths to the tournament look very different around the world:

    AFC (Asia): Includes powerhouse nations like Japan, South Korea, and Australia. They have a long process that starts with early rounds for lower-ranked teams and moves into group stages where the top teams advance.

    CAF (Africa): Home to teams such as Senegal, Egypt, and Nigeria. Teams play through multiple stages, beginning with groups and ending in decisive playoffs to determine who advances.

    UEFA (Europe): Features giants like France, England, and Germany. Teams are grouped and play home-and-away matches. Group winners qualify directly, while runners-up often face playoffs.

    CONMEBOL (South America): Includes Brazil, Argentina, and other South American teams. All 10 nations play each other in a league format. The top finishers qualify, while the next-best may enter a playoff.

    CONCACAF (North, Central America & Caribbean): Covers countries such as Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Honduras (plus the U.S., Canada, and Mexico). A mix of group stages and knockout rounds, with regional rivals often meeting in high-stakes matches.

    OFC (Oceania): A smaller group including New Zealand and island nations like Fiji and Tahiti. Fewer teams mean a smaller tournament, with the winner usually entering an intercontinental playoff for a World Cup place.

For many nations, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup™ is the ultimate goal. A single game can change a team’s fate, making qualifiers some of the most competitive matches in international football.
 
Breaktime Media
24 School St 2nd floor
Boston, MA 02108
  • How It Works
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • Careers

© 2025 Breaktime Media MWH LLC. All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Rights Request Form
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Settings