The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition in history, with 48 teams competing. This expansion offers more nations the chance to participate, making the tournament more inclusive and globally representative. The qualification process will determine the 45 teams joining co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Here’s a breakdown of how many countries will qualify from each continent.

Contents

UEFA (Europe) – 16 Teams
CAF (Africa) – 10 Teams
AFC (Asia) – 9 Teams
CONMEBOL (South America) – 7 Teams
CONCACAF (North, Central America, and the Caribbean) – 6 Teams
OFC (Oceania) – 2 Teams
Intercontinental Playoffs – 2 Teams
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Breakdown:

UEFA (Europe) – 16 Teams

Europe has been allocated 16 spots, the most of any confederation. The qualification process will involve 12 groups, each with four or five teams, competing in home-and-away matches. The top team from each group will qualify directly, while the remaining four spots will be decided via playoffs. These playoffs will include the 12 group runners-up and four best-ranked Nations League group winners who didn’t finish in the top two of their qualifying group. They will compete in semifinals and finals to secure a spot.

Total: 12 automatic + 4 via playoffs

CAF (Africa) – 10 Teams

Africa will have 10 spots, a significant increase from previous tournaments. The qualification will see 53 teams (excluding Eritrea) in eight groups of six and one group of five. The group winners will automatically qualify, and the four best runners-up will enter playoffs for a chance to claim one of the intercontinental playoff spots.

Total: 9 automatic + 1 via playoffs

AFC (Asia) – 9 Teams

Asia will have 9 spots in the 2026 World Cup. The qualification process involves 36 teams divided into nine groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the next stage. The final round will feature three groups of six teams, with the top two teams from each group qualifying directly. Third- and fourth-placed teams will compete for the final two automatic spots in a round-robin format, with the runners-up entering a playoff for a chance at the intercontinental playoffs.

Total: 8 automatic + 1 via playoffs

CONMEBOL (South America) – 7 Teams

South America will have 7 spots, with all 10 nations competing in a round-robin format. The top six teams will qualify directly, while the seventh-placed team will enter the intercontinental playoffs for a chance to qualify.

Total: 6 automatic + 1 via playoffs

CONCACAF (North, Central America, and the Caribbean) – 6 Teams

CONCACAF will have 6 spots in total, but with the three co-hosts – Canada, Mexico, and the United States – automatically qualifying, only three spots remain for other teams. The qualification process will involve 32 nations competing for these three spots, with the fourth-place team entering the intercontinental playoffs for a chance to qualify.

Total: 3 automatic + 2 via playoffs

OFC (Oceania) – 2 Teams

Oceania has 1 direct qualification spot and 1 spot in the intercontinental playoffs. The top team from the region will secure automatic entry into the tournament, while the runner-up will compete in the playoffs for a chance to qualify.

Total: 1 automatic + 1 via playoffs

Intercontinental Playoffs – 2 Teams

The intercontinental playoffs will determine the final two spots at the World Cup. Teams from different continents will compete in a knockout format, including the best runners-up and third- or fourth-placed teams from various confederations. The winners of the semifinals will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Total: 2 teams via intercontinental playoffs

Also read: Africa 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Latest Standings, Results & Bafana Bafana’s Big Match

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, with the qualification process ensuring that more nations have a chance to compete. The breakdown of spots for each confederation reflects the global nature of football, giving teams from all corners of the world a chance to qualify. The expanded format will make the 2026 tournament the most diverse and exciting World Cup to date.