A record 48 nations: Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup? Details inside

The 2026 World Cup will have a record 48 teams in the tournament to be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Uzbekistan, Jordan and South Korea sealed qualification on Thursday.

Forty-three teams will get their spots through their continent’s qualifying process. Another two will secure their berths in the international playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. The three host countries automatically qualify.

Asia will have eight direct berths and one in the intercontinental playoff.

Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff.

North and Central America plus the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs.

South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs.

Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot – New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs.

Europe will have 16 teams sure to play in the next World Cup.

The three host countries automatically qualify.

United States, Mexico, Canada

Japan (qualified on March 20)

Iran (qualified on March 25)

Jordan (qualified on June 6)

South Korea (qualified on June 6)

Uzbekistan (qualified on June 6)

New Zealand (qualified on March 24)

Argentina (qualified on March 25) (AP)

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