Feelings ran excessive on an evening of historic wins and last-gasp objectives because the final eight of the 43 computerized qualification spots for the FIFA World Cup 2026 had been sealed throughout Europe (UEFA), Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF).
With lower than seven months to go till the expanded 48-team match co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and america, European heavyweights Spain and the tiny Caribbean nation Curacao had been amongst these to guide a spot amid tears of pleasure and wild celebrations late on Tuesday.
Curacao turned the smallest nation ever – with a inhabitants of simply 156,000 – to qualify for the World Cup on November 18 as Haiti booked their return to the match for the primary time in 52 years, together with Panama.
It was additionally every week of heartbreak and shock for among the greatest names in soccer, together with former European champions Greece and African powerhouse Nigeria, as they had been knocked out of rivalry for the preferred sports activities match on the planet.
In the meantime, four-time world champions Italy discover themselves within the European playoffs together with 15 different groups in a combat for 4 slots, and four-time Arab champions Iraq booked a spot within the intercontinental playoffs.
Right here’s what it’s good to know in regards to the certified groups, the playoffs and the most important names to overlook out on the FIFA World Cup 2026:
Which international locations have certified for the World Cup 2026?
Following the final spherical of direct qualification, right here’s a continental breakdown of the certified groups:
Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico and USA
Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Oceania: New Zealand
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Curacao, Panama, Haiti
When will all of the groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026 be confirmed?
As late as March 31, 2026. With the European qualification rounds stretching to March and the intercontinental playoff ultimate additionally scheduled for a similar month, we is not going to know our ultimate 48 groups for the World Cup till lower than three months earlier than the match.
Which groups are within the World Cup 2026 playoffs?
The playoffs are divided into two components: European and intercontinental.
The European leg will seal the final 4 UEFA spots within the World Cup, whereas the intercontinental playoff will see representatives of all different continental teams contest for the final two berths.
European playoff groups: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Republic of Eire, Slovakia, Turkiye, Ukraine, Wales, Romania, Sweden, Northern Eire, North Macedonia
Intercontinental playoff groups: Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname
How do the European playoffs for the FIFA World Cup 2026 work?
After eight months of group-stage qualifying matches, 12 of the 16 European groups – essentially the most for any continent – on the World Cup had been sealed when the 12 group winners had been confirmed, with former champions Spain amongst them.
The final 4 locations might be decided within the playoffs, which might be contested by 16 groups – 12 group runners-up from the common qualifying spherical and one of the best 4 UEFA Nations League group winners – in March.
The groups might be divided into 4 playoff paths and 4 pots of 4 groups every, with the 12 group runners-up in three pots and the 4 different groups within the fourth pot.
Every of the 4 paths will comprise two single-leg semifinals and one single-leg ultimate. The groups for the paths might be drawn in a while Wednesday.
The winners of the 4 finals will seize the final remaining UEFA spots for the World Cup.
The semifinals might be performed on March 26 and the finals on March 31.
What are the intercontinental playoffs for the World Cup 2026 and the way do they work?
The intercontinental playoffs decide the final two non-European finalists for the World Cup, with six groups from the opposite 4 continental soccer our bodies.
Asia might be represented by Iraq, Africa by DR Congo, CONCACAF by Jamaica and Suriname, Oceania by New Caledonia and South America by Bolivia.
The highest two seeded groups – Iraq and DR Congo – have earned direct qualification for the 2 finals, whereas the opposite two finalists might be decided by way of two semifinals performed between the 4 remaining groups.
The schedule for the intercontinental playoffs has not been confirmed.
Which main groups have been eradicated from qualification?
Nigeria had been among the many newest large names to be eradicated from the qualification course of, following on from Chile, who had been third-place finishers in 1962.
Whereas China usually are not thought-about among the many soccer powerhouses in Asia, their concentrate on constructing the sport at residence and seeing themselves in one other World Cup, following their 2002 look, was crushed on June 5.
A number of the different shock omissions: Cameroon, Mali, Costa Rica, Greece and Serbia.
When and the place is the draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
US President Donald Trump confirmed, in August, that the draw for the World Cup will happen on December 5 on the Kennedy Middle in Washington, and didn’t rule out that he himself would possibly oversee the occasion.
The draw will start at midday native time (17:00 GMT).
Will Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play within the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Earlier this month, Ronaldo confirmed the match might be his swansong on soccer’s greatest stage.
“Undoubtedly, sure, as a result of I might be 41 years previous [at the World Cup],” mentioned the Portuguese famous person, who can also be the highest scorer in historical past with 143 worldwide objectives.
“I gave every part for soccer. I’ve been within the sport for the final 25 years. I did every part. I’ve many data within the totally different situations within the golf equipment and in addition within the nationwide groups. I’m actually proud. So let’s benefit from the second, stay the second.”
In the meantime, Messi has additionally expressed hope that he’ll lead Argentina’s title defence in North America however acknowledged that his age and health will dictate his position.
Chatting with NBC Information in October, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner mentioned he’ll take time subsequent yr to evaluate his bodily situation earlier than deciding whether or not to play within the match.
“It’s one thing extraordinary to have the ability to be in a World Cup, and I might like to,” the Argentinian captain mentioned.
“I wish to be there, to be effectively, and be an essential a part of serving to my staff, if I’m there. I’m going to evaluate that on a day-to-day foundation once I begin pre-season subsequent yr with Inter, and see if I can actually be one hundred pc, if I may be helpful, after which decide.
“I’m actually keen as a result of it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off successful the final one, and having the ability to defend it on the sector once more is spectacular, as a result of it’s all the time a dream to play with the nationwide staff.”
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 scheduled?
The match begins on June 11 and ends on July 19.
Who will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 ultimate?
The match will start on the Mexico Metropolis Stadium, whereas the US will host the ultimate on the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
