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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Chris Nee

World Cup 2026: Every team to have qualified

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the World Cup Trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina (3) and France (3) (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties) at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images).

Looking for every team to have qualified for World Cup 2026? Look no further.

World Cup 2026 will be the 23rd edition of the world's biggest football tournament and it'll be even bigger than before. With 48 World Cup squads participating, up from 32 four years ago, the summer showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico will have something for everyone.

With all 48 spots now claimed, FourFourTwo takes a look at every side to have stamped their ticket to the finals.

Every team to have qualified for the 2026 World Cup in order of qualification

United States

United States

Mauricio Pochettino is the USMNT boss (Image credit: Getty Images)

As one of three co-hosts for the tournament, the United States qualified automatically.

The majority of matches will be played in the US, which welcomes the World Cup to its shores for the second time after previously holding the 1994 edition.

Mauricio Pochettino's side will be making their 11th appearances in the finals, with their previous best performance being a third-place finish way back at the very first tournament in 1930.

Canada

Canada

American Jesse Marsch will lead Canada at the World Cup (Image credit: Getty)

Joining the US as a co-host will be Canada, with matches being played in Vancouver and Toronto.

Former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch, an ex-USMNT international, will lead the Canada charge for their third appearance at the finals.

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico qualified as World Cup hosts (Image credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The final host to be granted a place in the tournament is Mexico, who will become the first nation to have hosted three editions of the competition.

This will be be the ninth straight tournament for Mexico whose best performances were two quarter-final finishes on home soil.

Japan

Japan

Japan sealed their place in March 2025 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Japan became the first non-host nation to book their place at the tournament when they sealed their spot with three games to spare in the Asian Football Confederation's qualification campaign.

This will be World Cup finals appearance number eight for Samurai Blue and they're intent on leaving a mark under Hajime Moriyasu.

New Zealand

New Zealand

Chris Wood is on the way to the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

Another early qualifier was New Zealand, who will return to the competition after a 16-year absence.

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood led the way during the qualification process, as the likes of New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu and Samoa were seen off with relative ease.

Iran

Iran

Iran qualified for the tournament in North America (Image credit: Getty Images)

Iran sealed a place at the World Cup for the seventh time when they finished top of their group in the third round of AFC qualification.

They have never made it out of the group stage, with their most notable win being a 2-1 victory against the USA in 1998. Given the current political climate, another match-up between these two sides would make more than a few headlines.

Argentina

Argentina

Lionel Messi (Image credit: Getty Images)

The holders will get their chance to defend their title. The previous winners no longer get a place automatically but Argentina sealed their spot after breezing through the South American qualifying campaign.

Lionel Scaloni’s side qualified without kicking a ball when Bolivia drew with Uruguay in March 2025. Argentina then went on to thrash Brazil 4-1 in their next match.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan will be making their tournament bow (Image credit: Getty Images)

Uzbekistan will be making their first-ever appearance at a World Cup finals after they sealed their place by finishing second behind Iran in their AFC qualifying group.

Formerly a part of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan were not yet FIFA members when the World Cup was last played in the USA in 1994, but they did manage to win the Gold Medal in the Asian Games that year.

South Korea

South Korea

This may be Son's last World Cup (Image credit: Alamy)

South Korea topped Group B in third round of AFC qualifying to make sure they are going to their tenth consecutive World Cup.

They've made it out of the group stage three times, including a run to the semi-finals when South Korea co-hosted the tournament with Japan in 2002.

Jordan

Jordan

Jordan will be World Cup debutants (Image credit: Getty Images)

Finishing second behind South Korea in Group B were Jordan, who pipped Iraq to the automatic qualification place.

This means Jordan will be another tournament debutant as they look to build on the momentum of their appearance in the final of the AFC Asian Cup in 2023.

Australia

Australia

Australia were knocked out by Argentina in Qatar (Image credit: Getty Images)

Australia became the last team to book their World Cup place from the AFC's third round set of qualifiers when they finished behind Japan in Group C.

That makes it six tournaments in a row for the Socceroos, who reached the last 16 in Qatar in 2024.

Brazil

Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti swapped Real Madrid for Brazil (Image credit: Alamy)

It wouldn't be a World Cup without Brazil and the Selecao maintained their record of qualifying for every edition of the tournament with a win over Paraguay in June 2025.

That came in Carlo Ancelotti's first match in charge. The former Real Madrid and AC Milan boss will be expected to build a side that can challenge for the trophy.

Ecuador

Ecuador

Ecuadoran defender Willian Pacho is World Cup-bound (Image credit: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Ecuador followed Brazil in qualifying for the World Cup in June 2025, when a goalless draw with Peru was enough for them to secure a berth at the finals.

This will be Ecuador's fifth appearance, with their best performance coming in 2002. On that occasion, they were knocked out by Sven-Goran Eriksson's England in the round of 16.

Uruguay

Uruguay

Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay sealed their spot (Image credit: Getty Images)

The first games of the September 2025 international break saw the final three automatic qualifiers settled in South America.

Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay confirmed their place with a 3-0 win over Peru at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo. The two-time winners were knocked out in the group stage in Qatar but were quarter-finalists in Russia in 2018.

Colombia

Colombia

James Rodriguez won the Player of the Tournament award at the 2024 Copa America (Image credit: Getty Images)

Colombia will return to the World Cup in 2026 after they failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.

A 3-0 victory over Bolivia got them over the line in September, with World Cup 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez scoring the opener. He turns 35 a week before the final of what is likely to be his swansong on the international stage.

Paraguay

Paraguay

Former Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron in action for Paraguay (Image credit: Getty Images)

Paraguay's goalless draw with Ecuador in the penultimate round of CONMEBOL fixtures meant that Miguel Almiron and company have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

They lost to eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals in South Africa.

Morocco

Morocco

Morocco players at World Cup 2022 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Morocco booked their World Cup place in emphatic style with a 5-0 win over Niger in the September 2025 international break, their sixth win out of six.

The Atlas Lions will be playing in their seventh World Cup in 2026, four years after they made history in becoming the first African nation and the first Arab nation to reach the semi-finals.

Tunisia

Tunisia

Tunisia have qualified for their third World Cup in a row (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tunisia stamped their ticket for the 2026 World Cup in the September 2025 international break when they beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane.

That gave them an unassailable lead over the likes of Namibia and Liberia in CAF qualifying Group H and sees the Eagles of Carthage qualify for their seventh World Cup and third in a row.

Egypt

Egypt

Mohamed Salah and head coach Hossam Hassan of Egypt (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mo Salah's Egypt qualified for World Cup 2026 after a dominant performance in qualifying, finishing above Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Djibouti as group winners in their CAF qualifying campaign.

Their qualification was confirmed by a 3-0 away victory over Djibouti on October 8, 2025.

Algeria

Algeria

Algeria skipper Riyad Mahrez (Image credit: Getty Images)

Algeria secured their place at the World Cup for the first time since 2014 when they defeated Somalia 3-0 on October 9, 2025 to seal their place at the top of CAF Group G.

Captained by former Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez, 2026 will be their fifth World Cup appearance. Their journey to the round of 16 in 2014 is their best performance so far.

Ghana

Ghana

Mohammed Kudus' goal sealed the Black Stars' place at the World Cup (Image credit: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

After failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana bounced back to claim their spot at the World Cup.

Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Comoros on October 12, 2025 to clinch qualification for the Black Stars, who will be making their fifth appearance at the tournament. Their 2010 quarter-final appearance remains the high-water mark.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde

Cape Verde's Roberto 'Pico' Lopes (L) and Deroy Duarte (R) celebrate the island nation's historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

Cape Verde became the second smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup after topping their CAF qualification group.

The country, situated off the western coast of Africa, beat Cameroon to top spot in Group D to book their place at the finals in North America.

Qatar

Qatar

Qatar's Mohammed Muntari celebrates World Cup qualification after beating United Arab Emirates (Image credit: Getty Images)

The previous hosts booked their place at the finals with a 2-1 win over United Arab Emirates courtesy of goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel.

It means Qatar will be heading to consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history, having qualified as a host in 2022.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia players celebrate World Cup qualification with French boss Herve Renard (Image credit: Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia were on the other side of qualification to Qatar, with a win against Indonesia and a 0-0 draw with Iraq enough to top Group B.

The 2026 competition will be the Green Falcons' third consecutive World Cup. They will host the tournament in 2034.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast

Manchester United's Amad notched the final goal in Ivory Coast's 3-0 win over Kenya (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ivory Coast claimed one of Africa's last remaining automatic qualification places with a 3-0 win over Kenya in October. Franck Kessie, Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo scored the goals.

The win was enough to secure first place in Group F just one point ahead of runners-up Gabon.

Senegal

Senegal

Senegal captain Sadio Mane celebrates his nation's passage to the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

A star-studded Senegal line-up – featuring the likes of Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye and Kalidou Koulibaly – confidently booked their World Cup place with a 4-0 win over Mauritania in October.

The result saw them top Group B with a two-point advantage over DR Congo.

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa striker Evidence Makgopa (Image credit: Getty Images)

It was a tense affair in Group C right up to the final matchday, with Benin topping the group before the last games started only to succumb to a 4-0 defeat by Nigeria.

South Africa started just two points behind Benin as they faced Rwanda and a 3-0 victory there proved to be enough to top the group and start planning for the World Cup.

England

England

Harry Kane (Image credit: Getty Images)

England became the first European nation to confirm their place at World Cup 2026 with a 5-0 win over Latvia at the Daugava Stadium.

The Three Lions banked maximum points in qualifying to seal their spot at the finals with plenty of room to spare.

France

France

Kylian Mbappe and France made it safely through (Image credit: Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Two-time winners France stamped their ticket to the World Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Ukraine in their penultimate qualifying game.

They ended their qualification campaign with a 3-1 win in Azerbaijan, meaning they dropped just two points in Group D.

Croatia

Croatia

Luka Modric's side topped their group (Image credit: Luka Stanzl/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)

Luca Modric and Croatia have been semi-finalists in the last two tournaments and will look to maintain their excellent record in the summer after sealing their spot at the World Cup in November.

A 3-1 victory over the Faroe Islands was enough to pip the Czech Republic to first place ahead of Croatia's final Group L match against Montenegro.

Portugal

Portugal

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in their penultimate qualification match (Image credit: Getty Images)

After spurning their chance to seal their spot at the tournament when Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in a 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland, Portugal were able to get the job done with an emphatic 9-1 thumping of Armenia.

Ronaldo will be available from the start of the World Cup after FIFA's disciplinary elected to suspend two-thirds of his ban for a year.

Norway

Norway

Erling Haaland is set to play in his first major tournament (Image credit: Getty Images)

After a 28-year absence, Norway are back in the World Cup after they topped UEFA Group I. A dramatic 4-1 victory over Italy consigned the four-time winners to the play-offs and meant that the Scandinavians won all eight of their qualifiers.

Erling Haaland bagged a late brace against Italy, meaning. In all, he netted 16 times in the qualification campaign.

Germany

Germany

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann (Image credit: Getty Images)

Four-time World Cup winners Germany qualified for World Cup 2026 in November, when a 6-0 demolition of Slovakia saw them finish three points clear of their opponents.

Julian Nagelsmann's team were comfortable on the night thanks to a 4-0 lead at the break, and dropped points only once in Group A – their campaign began with a shock defeat in Bratislava.

Netherlands

Netherlands

Memphis Depay is the Netherlands' record scorer (Image credit: Getty Images)

UEFA Group G offered a relatively comfortable path to the World Cup for the Netherlands, who topped the table unbeaten but were only guaranteed of first place when they beat Lithuania in November.

The Dutch have reached the World Cup final on three occasions but were defeated on the biggest stage in 1974, 1978 and 2010.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Murat Yakin (Image credit: Getty Images)

Switzerland have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup three times but the most recent was in 1954 on home soil, sometimes literally.

Murat Yakin will be eyeing up a place in the last eight again after leading his team to the top of Group B in UEFA qualification.

Scotland

Scotland

Kieran Tierney sent Scotland to the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

November saw a spectacular conclusion to Scotland's qualification campaign. Steve Clarke's Tartan Army needed a win and got one thanks to stoppage-time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.

That famous night at Hampden Park won Scotland a World Cup finals place for the first time since 1998. They'll meet Brazil again, 28 years on.

Spain

Spain

Spain winger Lamine Yamal (Image credit: Getty Images)

2010 winners Spain are among the favourites to win the World Cup in 2026. They qualified in November, beating Turkiye to the top of Group E.

They were all but certain of a World Cup place before their final qualifier but goals from Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal ensured a 2-2 draw against Turkiye and a three-point gap at the top of the group.

Austria

Austria

Marko Arnautovic (Image credit: Alamy)

Group H winners Austria qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998, when they were eliminated at the group stage without winning a game.

Ralf Rangnick's team topped the group by two points, winning six of their eight qualifiers to edge out Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Belgium

Belgium

Romelu Lukaku (Image credit: Getty Images)

World Cup 2018 semi-finalists Belgium qualified for the 2026 edition as unbeaten Group J winners. The Red Devils won five of their matches to see off second-placed Wales and qualify for their 15th World Cup finals.

After missing out in 2006 and 2010, Belgium have ridden a second golden generation to four consecutive tournaments but were knocked out in the group stage four years ago.

Panama

Panama

Bolivia's head coach Oscar Villegas (Image credit: Getty Images)

With three of its teams qualifying as co-hosts, CONCACAF qualifying was a welcome spotlight for the confederation's chasing pack.

Panama will be on the hunt for a first win at the World Cup finals after three losses in their previous appearance in 2018. They qualified unbeaten, winning seven of their 10 matches across two group stages.

Curacao

Curacao

Curacao qualified in November (Image credit: RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)

Panama qualified in November and Curacao will join them, making a first ever appearance in the World Cup finals under Dick Advocaat's successor, Fred Rutten.

The Blue Wave won four out of four in their first qualifying group and finished ahead of Jamaica in the second by winning three and drawing three.

Haiti

Haiti

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Haiti (Image credit: EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP via Getty Images)

The CONCACAF qualifying ranks were completed by Haiti in November. They will return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1974 thanks to an emphatic qualification campaign.

Haiti progressed from the second round by finishing second behind Curacao in Group C, then won their group again in the third round thanks to three wins from six.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Edin Dzeko (Image credit: Getty Images)

If Bosnia and Herzegovina encounter a penalty shoot-out at World Cup 2026, they'll be in good practice after booking their place with back-to-back wins from the spot.

They secured their first World Cup berth by beating Wales and Italy to emerge triumphant from the UEFA qualification play-offs in March.

Sweden

Sweden

Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden (Image credit: Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)

Sweden qualified from UEFA play-offs Path B, scoring three times against both Ukraine and Poland to ensure a return to the World Cup finals after missing out four years ago.

The Scandinavians have reached the last four of the World Cup four times, losing the final on their own patch in 1958.

Turkiye

Turkiye

Hakan Calhanoglu (Image credit: Getty Images)

Turkiye finished just three points behind an impressive Spain side in Group E, claiming a place in play-offs Path C in the process.

The World Cup 2002 semi-finalists won 1-0 against both Romania and Kosovo to book their spot at the finals for the first time since their successful trip to Japan and South Korea 24 years ago.

Czechia

Czechia

Patrik Schick (Image credit: Getty Images)

Czechia qualified for World Cup 2026 by the longest possible route for a European side. Play-offs path D was an intense experience for the Czechs, who beat the Republic of Ireland and Denmark on penalties after a pair of 2-2 draws.

They haven't made it out of the group stage since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

DR Congo

DR Congo

Yoane Wissa on international duty (Image credit: Getty Images)

DR Congo's last World Cup finals appearance was as Zaire in 1974 so it's fair to say there was a degree of pressure and meaning on their final in the inter-confederation play-offs.

Jamaica beat New Caledonia to set up a final against DR Congo in Mexico in March. Axel Tuanzebe's goals in extra time made his team the World Cup's penultimate qualifiers.

Iraq

Iraq

Iraq were the last team to qualify (Image credit: Getty Images)

Iraq also laid in wait as Bolivia defeated Suriname to set up an inter-continental play-off final in Guadalupe. Graham Arnold's Lions of Mesopotamia won 2-1 to become the final qualifiers for World Cup 2026.

Iraq haven't appeared at the World Cup finals since they were last held in Mexico in 1986. They are yet to claim a point.

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