2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

The international competitions that determine which national teams qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the three co-hosts who qualify automatically.

2026 FIFA World Cup: The 23rd men's FIFA World Cup, scheduled for 2026 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The qualifying competitions select most of the 48 teams in this tournament.
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC): The Asian Football Confederation's qualifying competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Asia's pathway includes multiple rounds and direct places plus playoff routes.
2026 FIFA World Cup expansion: The increase of the men's World Cup finals field from 32 teams to 48 beginning in 2026. The larger finals field made room for more direct qualification places.
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification: The qualifying competitions that selected teams for the 32-team 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Comparing this edition with 2022 shows how expansion changed qualification opportunities.
2026 FIFA World Cup hosts: Canada, Mexico, and the United States, which jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The hosts qualify automatically rather than earning places through CONCACAF qualifying.
2026 FIFA World Cup allocation of slots: The distribution of direct and playoff places among FIFA's six confederations for the 2026 World Cup. Slot allocations determine how many teams each continental pathway can send.
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF): The Confederation of African Football's qualifying competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. African teams compete across groups for direct places and a route to the inter-confederation playoff.
FIFA Council: The governing body that sets FIFA's strategic direction and makes major decisions between FIFA Congresses. The Council approved the 48-team format that shaped qualification.
2026 FIFA World Cup debuts: National teams making their first appearance at the men's FIFA World Cup in 2026. Additional berths create new opportunities for countries to reach their first finals.
2026 FIFA World Cup seeding: The placement of qualified teams into pots for the 2026 World Cup draw. Seeding applies after qualification and does not determine who earns a place.

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