Khaberni - As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup approaches, the first edition hosted by three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and featuring 48 teams for the first time in history, the competition heats up for the remaining seats.
Which teams will ensure their qualification for the 2026 World Cup during the November international break?
So far, 28 teams have officially qualified from various continents, following the decisive results in the past few months, leaving 20 seats to be distributed among the continental federations according to a new system that ensures wider representation.
Europe: Who will join England?
After England secured their first qualification tickets from the European Football Union qualifiers, more teams are expected to join “The Three Lions” in November.
France will ensure its World Cup qualification on November 13 if:
- It defeats Ukraine.
Switzerland will qualify on November 15 if:
- It defeats Sweden, and Kosovo fails to win against Slovenia.
- Or if it draws with Sweden, and Kosovo loses to Slovenia.
Belgium will secure its spot on the same date if:
- It wins against Kazakhstan.
The Netherlands will ensure their qualification on November 14 if:
- It wins against Poland.
Austria will qualify on November 15 if:
- It wins against Cyprus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina do not win against Romania.
Portugal will ensure its qualification on November 13 if:
- It wins against the Republic of Ireland.
- Or if it draws with Republic of Ireland, and Hungary fails to win against Armenia.
Norway will qualify on the same date if:
- It wins against Estonia, and Italy fails to win against Moldova.
- Or if it draws with Estonia, and Italy loses to Moldova.
Spain will ensure its qualification on November 15 if:
- It wins against Georgia, and Turkey fails to win against Hungary.
North, Central America and the Caribbean: The struggle is still open
After both Honduras and Jamaica failed to win their opening matches in the October qualifiers, the CONCACAF region now looks forward to November to decide the first qualifiers.
Honduras will qualify on November 13 if:
- It wins against Nicaragua, and Costa Rica draws with Haiti.
Jamaica will secure its seat on the same date if:
- It wins against Trinidad and Tobago, and Curaçao loses to Bermuda.
Africa: Quartet competes for the playoff spot
In the African qualifiers, the Moroccan national team leads the scene, while teams from Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and South Africa also secured their qualification.
With the first stage of the African qualifiers complete, the top four second-placed teams in their groups are set to compete in the African playoff for one ticket to the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The four teams are Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Asia: Playoffs are the only remaining path
After the last direct tickets were clinched by the Qatar and Saudi Arabian teams on October 14, the Iraqi and Emirati teams are preparing to face each other in a home-and-away system to snatch the last Asian seat for the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Oceania
Despite losing to New Zealand in the Oceania qualifiers final, New Caledonia still retains its chance to qualify, as it will participate in the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
South America
After the six direct seats in the South American Football Confederation qualifiers were finalized, Bolivia looks forward to being the seventh team to qualify, as it competes in the global playoff along with New Caledonia and four other teams.
