Oluwadamilola Olanrewaju
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the biggest football event ever. For the first time in history, the tournament will feature 48 teams and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
With qualification almost complete, 42 countries have already secured their spots, while a few others are still fighting through playoffs for the final places.
Here is a look at the teams that have qualified so far, how each continent is represented, and what remains before the final list is complete.
A Bigger World Cup With More Countries Represented The expanded format gives more nations a chance to shine on the global stage. Europe still has the highest number of slots, but Africa, Asia, and other regions also enjoy more representation than ever.
Breakdown of slots for 2026:
UEFA (Europe): 16
CAF (Africa): 9
AFC (Asia): 8
CONMEBOL (South America): 6
CONCACAF (North & Central America): 6 (including the three hosts)
OFC (Oceania): 1
Plus 2 spots to be decided through intercontinental playoffs
This new structure opens the door for debutants and long-absent teams to qualify, adding fresh excitement to the tournament.
Co-Hosts Canada
Mexico
USA
Africa (CAF) Algeria
Cape Verde
Egypt
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Morocco
Senegal
South Africa
Tunisia
Asia (AFC) Australia
Iran
Japan
Jordan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Uzbekistan
Europe (UEFA) Austria
Belgium
Croatia
England
France
Germany
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Scotland
Spain
Switzerland
Oceania (OFC) New Zealand
South America (CONMEBOL) Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Uruguay
Surprise qualifiers:
Curacao, Panama, and Haiti have also secured their places, bringing fresh storylines to the tournament. Curacao becomes the smallest nation ever to qualify, and Haiti returns after more than five decades.
Who Missed Out? One of the biggest shocks is Nigeria. The Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive time, despite their strong football history. Italy also faces tremendous pressure as they head into playoffs after failing to qualify directly once again.
Teams Still Battling for Qualification European Playoff Teams Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Czechia
Denmark
Italy
Kosovo
Poland
Republic of Ireland
Slovakia
Turkiye
Ukraine
Wales
Romania
Sweden
Northern Ireland
North Macedonia
Intercontinental Playoff Teams Bolivia
DR Congo
Iraq
Jamaica
New Caledonia
Suriname
Looking Ahead to North America 2026 With world champions Argentina aiming to defend their title and new nations joining the competition for the first time, the 2026 World Cup promises unforgettable moments. From traditional powerhouses to first-time qualifiers, the tournament will reflect the global growth of football more than ever before.
Source: BusinessElitesAfrica | Read the Full Story…
