The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, with some teams celebrating their qualification, others nursing heartbreak, and many still battling for a coveted spot in the expanded 48-team tournament. From Brazil’s triumphant confirmation under new coach Carlo Ancelotti to Palestine’s gut-wrenching elimination, here’s the latest on the qualification race for the global showpiece set to kick off in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Brazil Secures Spot with Ancelotti’s First Win
Five-time world champions Brazil have officially punched their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay. The match, played in front of 46,000 ecstatic fans at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, saw Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr score the decisive goal just before halftime. This win marks a successful start for new head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has taken the reins of the Selecao and guided them to the finals, where they’ll aim to add a sixth star to their storied legacy.
Palestine’s World Cup Dream Shattered
In a heart-wrenching moment for Palestinian football, the Al-Fidai’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup were dashed by a late penalty against Oman in Amman, Jordan. Leading 1-0 through Oday Kharoub’s first-half goal, Palestine seemed poised to advance to the fourth round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers. However, a 97th-minute penalty converted by Essam al-Subhi resulted in a draw, handing Oman the crucial spot and ending Palestine’s campaign. The team, forced to play at neutral venues due to Israel’s war on Gaza and the destruction of sports facilities, fought valiantly but fell short in the final moments.
Confirmed Qualifiers for 2026
As of the latest qualifying matches, the following teams have secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the USA:
- Africa: None yet. All 54 nations are still in contention, with the first round of qualifiers ongoing until October 16, 2025.
- Asia: Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Japan.
- Europe: None. The 54 European teams competing for 16 spots are still in the first round, which continues until November 18, 2025.
- North, Central America, and Caribbean (CONCACAF): Canada, Mexico, USA (automatic qualification as hosts).
- Oceania: New Zealand, who clinched their spot by defeating New Caledonia in the third-round playoff final on March 24, 2025.
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador.
Major Teams Eliminated
Some notable teams have already been knocked out of the qualification race:
- Chile: The 1962 third-place finishers are among the biggest names confirmed out of the 2026 World Cup, a significant blow for the South American side.
- China: Despite efforts to grow football domestically, China’s hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2002 were crushed on June 5, 2025.
Teams Still in the Race
While several teams have secured their spots, others are still vying for qualification:
- Asia: Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, and Oman are competing for two direct qualification slots and one intercontinental playoff spot.
- South America: Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, and Bolivia are battling for three remaining direct slots, with Peru in contention for an intercontinental playoff spot.
- CONCACAF: Honduras, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao, Haiti, Panama, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Guatemala, Suriname, and El Salvador have advanced to the third round. Three teams will qualify directly, while the three second-placed teams from each group will compete for an intercontinental playoff spot.
- Oceania: New Caledonia have qualified for the intercontinental playoffs.
- Africa and Europe: All 9 African and 16 European spots remain open, with intense competition expected as qualifiers continue.
When Will We Know the Full Lineup?
The complete list of 48 teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup won’t be finalized until as late as March 31, 2026. With European qualifiers extending into March and the intercontinental playoff final also scheduled for the same month, fans will have to wait until just three months before the tournament to know the full field.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and conclude with the final in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. With an expanded format and fierce competition, the tournament promises to be a global celebration of football.