34 Teams Confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026

A record 34 teams have now secured their spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the first tournament to be co-hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format will see 48 teams compete in total, up from the traditional 32-team format, with qualifying matches still ongoing to determine the final 14 spots through playoff rounds in March.

Historic Returns and Debuts

England dominated their qualifying campaign with an impressive eight wins from eight matches, while reigning champions Argentina cruised through CONMEBOL qualifying. Several nations are making historic returns, including Norway after a 28-year absence and South Africa after missing out since hosting the tournament in 2010. Meanwhile, exciting debuts await Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan, who will compete on football’s biggest stage for the first time ever.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

The tournament format has been restructured with 48 teams split into 12 groups of four, with the top two finishers advancing alongside the eight best third-placed teams. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Mexico will kick off the tournament on June 11 with the opening match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, while the final takes place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. UEFA play-offs will determine the final European qualifying spots, with semifinals on March 26 and finals on March 31.