World Cup 2026
Full List Of Teams Qualified For The 2026 World Cup And Who Could Join Next
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been nothing short of dramatic, emotional, and packed with storylines that only football can produce. And with the tournament expanding to 48 teams for the first time in history, the race has been more intense than ever.
Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 edition promises to be the biggest global football festival yet — and a record number of nations are already booking their tickets.
Here’s the full rundown of every team officially qualified, plus a peek at who could be joining them next.
Who Has Qualified For The 2026 World Cup?
From hosts to heavyweights, debut hopefuls and returning giants, here’s the complete list of qualified nations so far, grouped by federation:
CONCACAF (Hosts):
United States, Canada, Mexico
AFC:
Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
OFC:
New Zealand
CONMEBOL:
Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia
CAF:
Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast
UEFA:
England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands
That’s a world-class lineup already — and we’re not even done yet.
How They Got Here
Qualification wrapped up across several continents with dramatic late goals, shock exits, and emotional celebrations.
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Japan became the first Asian team to secure their spot in March 2025.
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New Zealand clinched OFC’s first-ever guaranteed automatic slot.
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Argentina and Brazil breezed through South America as expected.
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Morocco continued their rise after the 2022 heroics.
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England, France, Portugal, and Germany all confirmed qualification during UEFA’s packed November window.
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Netherlands sealed theirs in style with a 4–0 demolition of Lithuania.
By the way, Memphis Depay is now the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer after an electric qualifying campaign. Not bad for a man constantly doubted by clubs and critics.
Who Could Qualify Next?
We’re entering the final stretch — and things are heating up across all confederations.
AFC:
All eight direct spots are gone, but the UAE and Iraq are battling for playoff routes.
CAF:
Africa’s nine direct tickets have been taken, but DR Congo survived a brutal playoff route to reach the inter-confederation playoffs — knocking out Cameroon and Nigeria along the way.
CONCACAF:
With the hosts already in, attention shifts to the Caribbean and Central America.
Curacao, Honduras, and Suriname are currently in qualifying positions, but teams like Jamaica, Haiti, Costa Rica, and Panama are still in the mix.
CONMEBOL:
The six automatic slots are settled, but Bolivia will fight for a place through the intercontinental playoffs.
OFC:
New Caledonia joins the global playoff after a strong regional run.
UEFA:
This is where things get spicy.
Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria are all basically one step away.
Italy, however? They’re heading for another playoff battle — and the entire football world is watching.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the most diverse, unpredictable, and talent-loaded edition ever. More countries. More stories. More football. And at Sports Market International — one of the best sports blogs and your go-to home for premium football coverage — we’ll be following every twist and turn.
Stay locked in. This road is far from over.
World Cup 2026
Donald Trump, Village People & A Wild 2026 World Cup Draw: What To Expect At Football’s Most Unpredictable Night
Donald Trump, Village People & A World Cup Draw Like No Other
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw is gearing up to be one of the most dramatic pre-tournament ceremonies ever — even before a single ball is kicked. And if you think you’ve seen chaos in football, wait until you mix the President of the United States, the Village People, global football stars, and a full-world spotlight at the Kennedy Center.
Set in Washington, this year’s draw promises music, politics, spectacle, and a dash of unpredictability. And leading the script? None other than Donald Trump himself.
Trump Meets The Village People: A Reunion Nobody Expected
In an unexpected twist, the iconic disco group Village People will perform their evergreen hit “YMCA” live — right in front of the president who turned the song into a rally anthem.
Trump has danced to the track countless times at his political events, but not everyone from the original lineup is thrilled.
Former member Jim Newman made it clear: the classic group he belonged to “would never, ever perform at a Trump rally.” Still, the show must go on, and the crowd at the Kennedy Center will be watching every second of this unusual reunion.
Star-Studded Night: Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger
The guest list reads like a global entertainment festival.
The White House confirmed Trump will attend the ceremony alongside top-tier performers including:
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Robbie Williams
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Andrea Bocelli
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Nicole Scherzinger
Hosting duties will be handled by Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, and Danny Ramirez, ensuring the night stays lively, humorous, and unpredictable.
FIFA will also unveil its new “Peace Prize” before the group pairings for the 48-team tournament are announced — another first for a World Cup ceremony.
Trump’s Growing Presence In Global Football
Trump’s involvement in football events has been anything but ordinary.
From lingering awkwardly on stage during Chelsea’s Club World Cup trophy lift, to baffling Juventus players with a question about women joining the men’s team, to posting an AI-generated video of himself and Cristiano Ronaldo playing football — the president has become a global sideshow of sporting unpredictability.
Now, that same unpredictability is heading straight into the 2026 World Cup draw.
A Draw Night Full Of Drama, Music & Football
This year’s ceremony blends entertainment with anticipation.
Between the “YMCA” performance, Hollywood-level hosting, Trump’s unpredictable moments, and the long-awaited group draw, the world will be glued to their screens.
As the global football community shifts its focus to 2026, one thing is guaranteed: this World Cup draw will be talked about for years.
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World Cup 2026
FIFA To Expand VAR Rules For The 2026 World Cup With New Corner-Kick Reviews
FIFA Pushes Major VAR Expansion For 2026 World Cup — Corner-Kick Reviews Included
FIFA is moving forward with a major upgrade to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision that could reshape how matches are officiated on the grandest stage.
Despite facing opposition from several leagues and football administrators, FIFA is determined to expand VAR’s authority — this time, to include corner-kick decisions.
IFAB Initially Rejected VAR Reviews For Corners
Back in October, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) met to review possible changes to the VAR system.
While some improvements were approved, one proposal was firmly rejected:
Using VAR to assess corner-kick situations.
Domestic leagues and football bodies argued the change could lead to:
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Longer match delays
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More interruptions
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A disrupted game flow that frustrates fans and coaches alike
Yet, FIFA appears ready to press ahead.
FIFA Is Determined To Implement The Corner-Kick Rule
According to reports from BBC Sport, FIFA wants the new VAR upgrade implemented in time for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
This move highlights FIFA’s growing willingness to test new technologies on football’s biggest stage, even without full global approval.
If implemented, referees will be able to review corner-kick situations, opening the door to:
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Checking for missed fouls
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Identifying incorrect corner awards
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Reviewing potential handball or off-ball infractions
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Ensuring fairer decision-making during set-pieces
It’s a bold shift — and a controversial one.
VAR’s Scope Is Already Set To Grow In 2026
While the corner-kick proposal sparked debate, IFAB did approve other VAR upgrades that will definitely be used during the tournament.
One major change:
VAR Can Review Second Yellow Cards That May Turn Into Red Cards
This is expected to help referees make clearer disciplinary decisions in fast, chaotic match situations — especially as the World Cup expands to 48 teams.
What This Means For Football
If the corner-kick VAR expansion earns final approval, the 2026 World Cup could become a turning point in football officiating.
The upgrade promises more accuracy but might come at the cost of match rhythm — a trade-off that continues to divide fans, coaches, and football governing bodies.
One thing is certain:
FIFA is embracing deeper technological influence in football, and the 2026 World Cup will be the testing ground.
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World Cup 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo Tipped To Play For Portugal Beyond 2026 World Cup, Says Wes Brown
Cristiano Ronaldo Could Continue Playing For Portugal After 2026, Says Wes Brown
Cristiano Ronaldo may not be finished with international football just yet. Former Manchester United teammate Wes Brown has suggested that the 40-year-old superstar could continue playing for Portugal beyond the 2026 World Cup, keeping the door open for Euro 2028.
Ronaldo has indicated that the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will likely be his sixth and “final” FIFA tournament. However, with his current contract at Al-Nassr running through 2027, there’s no definite retirement date in sight.
Retirement Not On Ronaldo’s Mind Yet
Brown, speaking exclusively to GOAL in association with BetWright casino, explained why Ronaldo could still be an asset for the national team:
“If he can bring something to the squad, why not pick him? Does that mean he has to play every game? Look at the last competition, everyone was saying he shouldn’t play but he did okay. He knows the press will give him stick if he doesn’t score or assist. At the same time, he’s there for his younger teammates and wants them to do well. In his mind, he won’t be finished yet and can still contribute. He’s still got the energy, the same belief, and can still do it.”
Ronaldo Still Chasing International Glory
While Ronaldo has often claimed that a World Cup isn’t necessary to cement his legacy, Brown believes the Portuguese star still has a burning desire to complete his medal collection.
“He will want to win one! This is probably his last chance. He has a really good team. Any footballer dreams of winning the World Cup as a kid. Ronaldo doesn’t need it to prove himself, but he really would want to win it. It will be difficult, but it’s definitely on the agenda,” Brown said.
Euro 2028 Could Be On The Horizon
With no confirmed retirement from international football and his Al-Nassr contract through 2027, Ronaldo could potentially extend his career to feature in Euro 2028, adding yet another chapter to his record-breaking career.
Whether he will achieve that elusive World Cup crown remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Ronaldo’s competitive spirit and desire to succeed remain undiminished as he approaches the twilight of his legendary career.
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