Overview
- As of today, 28 nations have secured places at the 48‑team finals, including the three hosts plus England, nine from Africa, eight from Asia, six from South America, and New Zealand from Oceania.
- Europe’s qualifying resumes Thursday with clinching paths laid out: France can advance by beating Ukraine, Portugal qualify with a win over Ireland, Spain can go through with results against Georgia and Turkey, and the Netherlands and Belgium each qualify with victories in their next matches.
- Africa’s final pathway runs through Rabat this week, with Nigeria vs Gabon and Cameroon vs DR Congo on November 13 and a November 16 final to decide the continent’s entrant to the intercontinental playoff.
- FIFA’s intercontinental Playoff Tournament will feature six teams — one each from CAF, AFC, OFC and CONMEBOL (Bolivia) plus two from CONCACAF — in Mexico from March 23–31, with two winners claiming the last World Cup berths; the draw is set for November 20 in Zurich.
- The World Cup draw takes place December 5 in Washington, D.C., with the tournament running June 11 to July 19, 2026, while the U-17 World Cup in Doha nears knockouts with six African teams already into the round of 16.