Half of the qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already been completed. The question is: which nation will qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Several nations have already qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The co-hosts—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—secured their spots automatically. In total, 13 national teams have qualified so far for this 23rd edition of the tournament, out of 48 teams that will be placed after the qualification process.
The next nations to qualify will likely come from the ongoing qualification campaigns in South America (CONMEBOL) and Africa (CAF). South American qualifying is in its final stages, with several teams vying for the remaining spots.
The CAF qualifiers also have teams in strong positions within their groups. The next round of qualifying matches in these confederations is scheduled for September and beyond, so it is possible we will see more teams secure their places then.
Additionally, several teams have qualified through their confederation’s tournaments:
- AFC (Asia): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
- CONMEBOL (South America): Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador.
- OFC (Oceania): New Zealand.
Top Teams Qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Table of Contents
The expansion of the FIFA World Cup to a 48-team format has fundamentally reshaped the global qualification landscape. With every confederation now guaranteed at least one direct berth, the paths to the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA are more varied and dramatic than ever before.
While a few nations have already secured their place in the final tournament, the majority of the world’s teams are embroiled in high-stakes campaigns that range from multi-stage marathons to rapid-fire sprints.
A detailed analysis of the current standings and upcoming schedules across all six confederations reveals which nations are on the cusp of a historic achievement and which are just beginning their arduous journey.
CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualification
Argentina’s Triumph and the Fierce South American Scramble
The South American qualification campaign is the most advanced, with all 10 teams having played 16 of their 18 matches. The clear headline from this campaign is the dominant performance of Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions. With an impressive record of 11 wins, 2 draws, and only 3 losses, Argentina has amassed 35 points, a full 10 points ahead of the next-closest teams. This commanding position has officially secured their place in the 2026 tournament.
Argentina’s continued form is not merely a statistical outcome but is widely seen as a reflection of a sustained winning mentality forged during their 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America triumphs.
While Argentina’s place is confirmed, the battle for the remaining five automatic qualification spots and the single inter-confederation playoff berth is a statistical dogfight of the highest order. The table below illustrates the razor-thin margins separating the top contenders.
| Rank | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Argentina | 16 | 11 | 2 | 3 | +19 | 35 |
| 2 | Ecuador | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | +8 | 25 |
| 3 | Brazil | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | +5 | 25 |
| 4 | Uruguay | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | +7 | 24 |
| 5 | Paraguay | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | +3 | 24 |
| 6 | Colombia | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | +4 | 22 |
| 7 | Venezuela | 16 | 4 | 6 | 6 | -4 | 18 |
| 8 | Bolivia | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | -16 | 17 |
| 9 | Peru | 16 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -11 | 12 |
| 10 | Chile | 16 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -15 | 10 |
As shown in the table, only one point separates Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Paraguay for second place. Just a few points further back, Colombia remains a threat, positioned to capitalise on any slip-ups from the teams above them.
With just two matchdays left, set for September 9 and September 14, 2025, every point and goal matters more than ever. For example, if Ecuador beats Paraguay and a rival suffers a loss, it could provide a comfortable cushion, while a win for Brazil against Chile might push them into a more secure spot.
The numerous draws and close point margins highlight a fiercely competitive field, with the outcome likely to be decided in an intense finale. As predictions suggest, teams qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
OFC
New Zealand Secures a Historic Direct Berth
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) qualification process has wrapped up, making history with its first-ever guaranteed spot in the FIFA World Cup.
The new format eliminated the previous reliance on a two-legged inter-confederation playoff, a path that New Zealand had navigated successfully in the past but had also been a source of disappointment.
The OFC qualification journey began with the Second Round group stage. New Zealand dominated Group B, winning all three matches, collecting 9 points, and boasting an impressive goal difference of +18. Meanwhile, New Caledonia topped Group A with 7 points.
The winners of these groups advanced to a single-leg Third Round Final. The final match took place on March 24, 2025, at Eden Park, where New Zealand secured a decisive 3-0 victory over New Caledonia.
This win officially confirmed New Zealand as the first-ever direct qualifier from the OFC for the 2026 World Cup.
| Match | Date | Teams | Score |
| Semi-final 1 | Mar 21, 2025 | New Caledonia vs Tahiti | 3-0 |
| Semi-final 2 | Mar 21, 2025 | New Zealand vs Fiji | 7-0 |
| Final | Mar 24, 2025 | New Caledonia vs New Zealand | 0-3 |
The lopsided scores in the semi-final and final confirm New Zealand’s status as the undisputed footballing superpower of Oceania. Their performance was a statement of intent, taking full advantage of the new qualification format.
CAF
The African Gauntlet and the Early Frontrunners
The 2026 African qualification campaign is an intense, winner-takes-all competition, with the top team from each of the nine groups securing a direct spot in the World Cup.
This format increases the pressure on group leaders as there’s no playoff safety net for second-place teams. With only a few matches left, several teams are in strong positions to secure qualification.
| Group | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| A | EGY (Egypt) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +12 | 16 |
| B | COD (DR Congo) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 13 |
| C | RSA (South Africa) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 13 |
| D | CPV (Cape Verde) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +2 | 13 |
| E | MAR (Morocco) | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | +12 | 15 |
| F | CIV (Côte d’Ivoire) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +14 | 16 |
| G | ALG (Algeria) | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | +10 | 15 |
| H | TUN (Tunisia) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +9 | 16 |
| I | GHA (Ghana) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 13 |
Based on the standings, several nations are poised for early qualification. For example, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia all hold 16 points from 6 games, giving them commanding leads in their respective groups. The most compelling case for an imminent qualifier, however, can be made for Morocco.
Morocco currently sits atop Group E with a perfect record: 5 wins, 0 draws, and 0 losses for a total of 15 points. This performance is a direct continuation of the momentum from their historic 2022 World Cup semi-final run, showing their golden era is not an aberration but a sustained reality.
Morocco’s closest competitor, Tanzania, has 9 points from 5 matches. With 6 points separating the two teams and only three games remaining for Morocco, a win in their next match would give them 18 points.
This would effectively make it mathematically certain that they will finish first, given their vastly superior goal difference (+12 versus Tanzania’s +1). Their next match is a home fixture against Niger on September 6, 2025, which presents a prime opportunity to seal their spot in the final tournament.
CONCACAF
A New Path for the Rest, with Hosts on the Sidelines
The qualification process in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) is unique due to the automatic qualification of co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
This situation has created a new landscape for the remaining teams, who are competing for a limited number of spots. The current standings reflect the conclusion of the Second Round, where the top two teams from each of the six groups advanced to the next stage.
The Second Round saw several teams dominate their groups, setting the stage for what is to come. Honduras, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Panama, and Jamaica all finished with a perfect 4-0-0 record, demonstrating their strength heading into the final stage.
The performance of these teams, particularly Honduras and Costa Rica, with their superior goal differences, established them as a new tier of regional powerhouses.
| Group | Team | Pld | Pts | GD |
| A | Honduras | 4 | 12 | +10 |
| B | Costa Rica | 4 | 12 | +16 |
| C | Curaçao | 4 | 12 | +13 |
| D | Panama | 4 | 12 | +9 |
| E | Jamaica | 4 | 12 | +6 |
| F | Suriname | 4 | 10 | +8 |
These Second Round results, while impressive, are only an indicator of form. The real competition is set to begin in September 2025 with the Third Round.
The 12 advancing teams will be drawn into three groups of four, where the winner of each group will qualify directly for the World Cup.
The two best second-place finishers will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs. The next qualifier from CONCACAF will be one of these three Third Round group winners, meaning the race is truly just beginning.
AFC
A Multi-Stage Marathon with Confirmed Contenders
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualification campaign is a multi-stage marathon that provides 8 direct spots in the final tournament. The campaign is currently in its Fourth round after completing the Third Round.
According to the latest updates, several teams have earned their spots in the World Cup. These include Japan, Australia, South Korea, Iran, and Uzbekistan, all of which have successfully advanced through the qualification rounds.
| Group | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| A | Iran | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | +27 | 23 |
| B | South Korea | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | +13 | 22 |
| C | Japan | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | +24 | 22 |
| D | UAE | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | +9 | 19 |
| E | Australia | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | +9 | 19 |
| F | Iraq | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
The complex, multi-stage structure means that advancing from one round to the next does not guarantee World Cup qualification. The real test is the AFC third round, where teams must continue their strong performances over a sustained period.
The current leaders, such as Japan and Australia, have demonstrated dominance but must now maintain their momentum in the next phase of the tournament to secure their spot.
UEFA
The European Powerhouses Begin Their Campaign
The European qualification campaign has only just begun for most nations. A new format offers 16 direct qualification spots, a significant increase from previous tournaments.
While many groups (A-F) have yet to play a single match, a few have started their journeys.
| Group | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| G | Finland | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| H | BIH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 9 |
| I | NOR (Norway) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | +11 | 12 |
| J | MKD (North Macedonia) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | +4 | 8 |
| K | ENG (England) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| L | CZE (Czechia) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 9 |
The non-uniform start dates for the groups mean that a direct comparison of standings is not yet meaningful. However, the teams that have started their campaigns have already made a statement.
Norway’s perfect record of 4 wins in Group I and England’s 3 wins in Group K are early indicators of their intent to capitalise on their schedules and build crucial momentum.
Expert predictions for the inactive groups are based on pre-tournament form and recent successes.
Teams like France, Spain, England and Portugal are widely considered favourites to dominate their respective groups and secure an automatic spot. However, the European campaign is a marathon, not a sprint, and the first key matchups are still to come in late 2025.
The Next to Qualify
High-Stakes Prediction
As the global competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, Argentina and New Zealand have already secured their spots. The question now is: which nation will be next to qualify? The answer is likely to come from a continent where the qualification campaigns are currently in a crucial, winner-takes-all phase.
After analysing the current standings and upcoming schedules, the next qualifier will likely come from the African Confederation (CAF).
While several African nations hold commanding leads, a strong argument can be made that Morocco is the nation with the highest probability of securing a qualifying spot in the shortest amount of time.
Here is the compelling case for the Morocco soccer Team 2026 World Cup Qualification
- A Perfect and Dominant Record: In Group E of the CAF qualifiers, Morocco holds a flawless record of 5 wins and 0 losses from 5 matches. This perfect performance has given them a total of 15 points, and they boast a significant goal difference of +12. This level of consistent performance is a strong predictor of success.
- A Commanding Points Lead: Morocco’s closest rival in Group E is Tanzania, which sits 6 points behind them with 9 points from 5 matches. This substantial lead puts Morocco in a position where a single win could be enough to secure its spot in the World Cup.
- A Favourable Mathematical Scenario: Morocco has three matches remaining in their qualification campaign. With 15 points, they can reach a maximum of 24 points. Their nearest competitor, Tanzania, can achieve a maximum of 18 points. This means that a victory for Morocco in their next match would give them 18 points, making it impossible for Tanzania to overtake them. Even in a scenario where Tanzania wins all their games, the monumental +12 goal difference held by Morocco would be virtually impossible to overturn.
- A Critical Upcoming Fixture: Morocco’s next fixture is on September 6, 2025, against Niger. Given their perfect record and home advantage, Morocco is the overwhelming favourite to win this match. A victory in this game would effectively secure their place in the World Cup, making them the next nation to qualify.
The analysis of the CAF qualification data points to Morocco as the clear frontrunner. Their perfect record, commanding point lead, superior goal difference, and a critical upcoming fixture all combine to create a highly probable scenario for early qualification.
While other CAF nations such as Egypt, Tunisia, and Côte d’Ivoire are also in strong positions, Morocco’s mathematical advantage and flawless performance in a tight format give it the edge.
The global football community will be watching closely in September to see if Morocco can officially clinch their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
