After the October international block, more than half of the field of participants for the 2026 World Cup has been decided. The next decisions will be made in November and the draw will take place in December.
15.10.2025, 11:15
15.10.2025, 11:24
SDA
Some favorites from Europe still need points, Italy probably even need to take a detour via the play-offs: although the World Cup will be held with 48 teams for the first time, some major nations have their worries in qualifying. A total of 28 teams have already qualified for the mega World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, including the outsiders from Jordan, Uzbekistan and Cape Verde, who will be taking part for the first time.
Italy will probably have to enter the play-off
The qualifiers will continue in November. England are the only team from Europe to have already booked their World Cup ticket. World Cup runners-up France, European champions Spain, Portugal and Norway are well on their way to direct qualification. Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Croatia, Belgium and Germany are also looking very or fairly good. Things are likely to be tight between Denmark and Scotland. Both nations are tied on ten points and will meet in Glasgow on November 18. In Group I, Italy are likely to lose out to the previously flawless Norwegians.
While the usual suspects are already through in South America, things are still exciting in North and Central America. In the absence of the three qualified hosts, several smaller nations have a chance of a direct ticket. Suriname lead Group A after four matchdays, while Jamaica (9) are currently ahead of Curaçao (8) in Group B. Honduras (8), Costa Rica (6) and Haiti (5) are fighting for first place in Group C, which means direct qualification.
When will the draw take place?
The draw will take place on December 5 in Washington. The twelve groups from A to L will be formed from four pots. As the qualification process will not be complete by then and play-offs will still be played in the spring, there will also be six wild cards. The position of the hosts is already certain: Mexico will play in Group A, Canada in Group B and the USA in Group D, all of course in their own country.
The most places, 15 out of 16, are still open in Europe. In Africa, Asia (9 each), South America (6) and Oceania (1), the direct tickets have been allocated, with two teams from these associations and North America/Caribbean still to be added via the intercontinental play-offs. As in Europe, these will be held in March. The final round will take place from June 11 to July 19.
