ROAD TO 2026
THE 48
NATIONS
Participating Teams
Host Nation
Group B
Canada
Host Nation
Group A
Mexico
Host Nation
Group D
United States
AFC
Group D
Australia
AFC
Group G
AFC
Group F
Japan
AFC
Group J
Jordan
AFC
Group B
Qatar
AFC
Group H
Saudi Arabia
AFC
Group A
South Korea
AFC
Group K
Uzbekistan
CAF
Group J
Algeria
CAF
Group H
Cape Verde
CAF
Group G
Egypt
CAF
Group G
Ghana
CAF
Group E
Ivory Coast
CAF
Group C
Morocco
CAF
Group I
Senegal
CAF
Group A
South Africa
CAF
Group F
Tunisia
CONCACAF
Group E
Curaçao
CONCACAF
Group C
Haiti
CONCACAF
Group L
Panama
CONMEBOL
Group J
Argentina
CONMEBOL
Group C
Brazil
CONMEBOL
Group K
Colombia
CONMEBOL
Group E
Ecuador
CONMEBOL
Group D
Paraguay
CONMEBOL
Group H
Uruguay
OFC
Group G
New Zealand
UEFA
Group J
Austria
UEFA
Group G
Belgium
UEFA
Group L
Croatia
UEFA
Group L
England
UEFA
Group I
France
UEFA
Group E
Germany
UEFA
Group F
Netherlands
UEFA
Group I
Norway
UEFA
Group K
Portugal
UEFA
Group C
Scotland
UEFA
Group H
Spain
UEFA
Group B
Switzerland
AFC
Group I
CAF
Group K
Congo DR
UEFA
Group A
Czechia
UEFA
Group F
Sweden
UEFA
Group D
Turkiye
UEFA
Group B
bosnia-herzegovina
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams will play in the 2026 World Cup?
For the first time in history, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded format of 48 participating teams, up from the traditional 32-team structure used in previous tournaments.
Which countries are hosting the tournament?
The tournament is being jointly hosted by three North American countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. All three host nations received automatic qualification for the tournament.
How are the 48 team slots divided by region?
The slots are allocated across six confederations: UEFA (Europe) gets 16 slots, CAF (Africa) 9, AFC (Asia) 8, CONMEBOL (South America) 6, CONCACAF (North/Central America) 6 (including the 3 hosts), and OFC (Oceania) 1. The final two spots are decided via an intercontinental play-off.
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament will feature a record 104 matches, concluding with the final on July 19, 2026, in New Jersey.
When will all qualifying teams be officially confirmed?
The regional qualification process takes place from 2023 through early 2026. The final 48-team roster is locked in following the conclusion of the FIFA intercontinental play-off matches in March 2026.
