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France and Croatia Qualify as 2026 World Cup Field Takes Shape Before Dec. 5 Draw

The Dec. 5 draw in Washington will set provisional groups ahead of March playoffs for the last two spots.

Overview

  • Thirty teams have secured places so far, including hosts United States, Mexico and Canada, with recent qualifiers in Europe now featuring England, France and Croatia.
  • UEFA still has most of its berths to fill through remaining group winners and a 16-team playoff in March that will award four additional European spots.
  • The six-team inter-confederation playoff in March will decide the final two World Cup berths, with Bolivia and New Caledonia already qualified for that tournament.
  • Africa’s nine direct qualifiers are set, and a Nigeria–DR Congo playoff final on Nov. 16 will send the continent’s representative to the inter-confederation playoff.
  • Asia’s eight direct entrants are confirmed, and the UAEIraq second leg on Nov. 18 will determine the region’s playoff representative, while two CONCACAF runners-up will also enter the March event.