Let’s take an early look at next year’s World Cup!
World Cup 2026 – What to Expect
World Cup 2026 is fast approaching and by the end of this year the qualification process will almost be complete. We are in store for plenty of drama and entertainment even before the competition gets under way.
Next summer’s tournament will be a World Cup of firsts: the first edition to be co-hosted by three different countries; the first to contain 48 teams; and the first to feature more than 100 matches.
Before all that, we must decide which national teams will take part. The USA, Canada and Mexico have automatically qualified as co-hosts, but there are still 45 spots up for grabs on the road to 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In this article we will take a look at the state of play across each of the six federations, looking at the top teams in FIFA qualifiers and making some World Cup qualifiers 2025 predictions.
Who Will Qualify From Europe?
UEFA has 16 qualification spots up for grabs. Europe’s 54 teams have been split into 12 different groups, with the group winners set to go forward to World Cup 2026.
The group runners-up will have a second bite at the cherry in the play-offs. Below is our non-exhaustive profile of some of Europe’s top teams.
Spain
Spain will probably face Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria in Europe’s FIFA World Cup 2025 qualifiers. The reigning continental champions have plenty of young talent in the ranks, with Gavi and Pedri amongst the youngsters shining for Barcelona.
La Roja have a defined style of play based on dominating possession, and the current crop of players has trophy-winning experience. Star midfielder and Ballon d’Or holder Rodri is currently injured but he should be fit for the autumn qualifiers.
England
Runners-up at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, England are desperate to lift a major trophy on foreign soil for the first time. They have appointed Thomas Tuchel, a manager with an impressive CV at club level, to lead the national team in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Tuchel has inherited a squad full of gifted players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, but he must find the right balance. England will take on Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra in the qualifiers.
France
World champions in 2018, France have not been able to lift another trophy since then. They came close at the last World Cup, though, losing to Argentina on penalties in the final, and Didier Deschamps’ side will be strong contenders to go all the way next summer in his last tournament in charge.
Kylian Mbappe remains the star of the show, but France have enviable skill and depth in virtually every area of the pitch. They look set to face Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan in the qualifiers, but their opponents will only be confirmed in March.
Germany
Germany may have only reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, but they were one of the tournament’s best-performing teams. Julian Nagelsmann is a smart manager and he has some top players to call upon, including Florian Wirtz, Antonio Rudiger and Jamal Musiala.
Germany are perennial candidates to win major trophies and they will be expected to go deep in the USA, Canada and Mexico. First, they must ensure they qualify by topping a group which is likely to feature Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg.
Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo might be 40 years old but he still intends to be one of the best players in 2025 World Cup qualifiers. Portugal are not a one-man team, though, with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao among their other stars.
Roberto Martinez’s men will learn in March who they will face in the qualifiers, but it will probably be Hungary, Republic of Ireland and Armenia.
Italy
Italy were underwhelming at Euro 2024, but they improved in the recent edition of the Nations League and they could be potential dark horses next summer.
Luciano Spalletti’s side will begin the FIFA World Cup 2025 qualifiers in June, with the Italians likely to be in a group with Norway, Israel, Estonia and Moldova. Sandro Tonali, Mateo Retegui and Nicolo Barella are among the players to watch.
Who Will Qualify From South America?
CONMEBOL is a small confederation comprising just 10 national teams competing in just one qualification group.
The top six will go forward to World Cup 2026, while the seventh-placed side will be involved in the inter-confederation play-offs. Below is our guide to some of the strongest teams in South America.
Argentina
The defending champions are aiming to become only the third country (after Brazil and Italy) to win back-to-back World Cups. Lionel Messi, now based in the USA at club level, is expected to be involved in 2026, with the likes of Julian Alvarez, Lisandro Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister also likely to be prominent figures.
South America’s marathon-like qualification process got started all the way back in September 2023. Argentina are sitting pretty in top spot, so we can say with a degree of certainty that they will be there next summer.
Brazil
Brazil have not had everything their own way in the aforementioned 10-team qualification tournament in South America. In their last two fixtures, for instance, they drew with Venezuela and Uruguay. Even so, it would be a massive shock if they failed to book a spot at World Cup 2026.
Brazil will need to play better if they want to triumph next year, though. Vinicius Junior is the player they are trying to build the team around, but Neymar is still hoping to compete in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Uruguay
Uruguay sit second in the South American standings at the time of writing. One of world football’s historic overachievers, the two-time champions could be dark horses to go all the way in 2026.
Marcelo Bielsa is in charge of the national team these days and he has introduced his favoured high-energy, high-octane style of play. Fede Valverde of Real Madrid is Uruguay’s most important player these days.
Colombia
Colombia finished second in the most recent edition of the Copa America, so they are one of the strongest sides on the continent right now. Los Cafeteros are also in a decent position to qualify automatically for the upcoming World Cup.
Luis Diaz of Liverpool is their most recognisable player these days, but James Rodriguez continues to save his best form for the national team and Jhon Duran is one of the most talented young strikers around right now.
Who Will Qualify From Africa?
CAF has been awarded nine guaranteed places at World Cup 2026, with one African nation set to participate in the inter-confederation play-offs.
The 53 teams have been divided into nine groups, with the team that finishes top of each section going through to the USA, Canada and Mexico. Here are some of the African outfits to watch.
Egypt
Egypt have had great success at the Africa Cup of Nations in the 2000s, but we are still waiting for them to make a real impact at the World Cup. Having Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush at their disposal in 2026 should help.
Egypt are flying high at the top of their group with 10 points from their first four games. It is hard to see them missing out on next year’s tournament.
Senegal
Aliou Cisse left Senegal in 2024 after nine years at the helm, to be replaced by Pape Thiaw. There is work to do in the qualification process, with the Lions of Teranga currently second in their group behind Sudan.
Sadio Mane is past his best but remains an integral member of the squad, as do Nicolas Jackson, Idrissa Gueye and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Morocco
Morocco made history in 2022 by becoming the first ever African team to reach the last four of a World Cup. That was a fantastic achievement, albeit one they will struggle to replicate next summer.
Morocco are at least in a strong position in qualifying as they aim to book a place in the USA, Canada and Mexico as soon as possible.
Ivory Coast
The reigning African champions, Ivory Coast are desperate to improve a World Cup record of three group stage exits in three attempts. They are doing well in qualifying, having taken 10 points from the first 12 available.
Ivory Coast’s squad is not as star-studded as it was in the era of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, but it does contain Simon Adingra and Jeremie Boga.
Who Will Qualify From Asia?
AFC will send eight teams directly to World Cup 2026, while they have also been awarded one spot in the inter-confederation play-offs. There are 18 teams still involved in Asia’s mammoth qualification process, split into three groups of six.
The top two will qualify automatically, while those placed third or fourth will compete in an additional round. Here are Asia’s most likely qualifiers.
Japan
Widely regarded as the best side in Asia, Japan registered eye-catching victories over Spain and Germany at World Cup 2022. They will be targeting a place in the quarter-finals at a minimum next summer, with Europe-based players such as Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma leading the charge.
Japan are cruising at the top of their qualification group and it is only a matter of time before they confirm their place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Iran
Iran are regular participants in the World Cup these days and they are not too far away from booking a spot at the 2026 edition. They are top of their qualification group with 16 points from a possible 18.
If they do make it to next year’s extravaganza, Iran will look to players like Medhi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun for inspiration.
South Korea
South Korea are also top of their qualifying group in Asia as they aim to reach another World Cup. This could be the last global tournament featuring Son Heung-min, arguably the best Korean player of all time.
Hong Myung-bo is back in charge of the national team after Julian Nagelsmann’s ill-fated tenure was brought to a hasty end in 2024.
Australia
Australia have been underwhelming in their qualification group so far, yet they still occupy a place in the top two of their group. The Socceroos surprised many by reaching the knockout phase of World Cup 2022, but there is work to do over the last 12 months.
This is not a vintage Australia squad in terms of talent, but there is a strong collective work ethic that could stand them in good stead next summer, provided they get there.
Who Will Qualify From North America?
The USA, Canada and Mexico have automatically qualified as co-hosts, leaving three more guaranteed spots for CONCACAF. Two teams from the body that represents North America, Central America and the Caribbean will also compete in the inter-confederation play-offs.
The 32 sides involved have been drawn into six groups, where a top-two finish is required to reach the next round. From there, the three qualifiers will be determined – here are some sides to keep an eye on.
Panama
Panama qualified for World Cup 2018 and they are hoping to be back on the biggest stage of all six years later. They are currently second in their group, behind Nicaragua on goal difference.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica have taken part in the last three World Cups, as well as the 2002 and 2006 editions. Currently top of their group, they have now phased out most members of the country’s golden generation.
Jamaica
Jamaica are aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The best team in the Caribbean at present, the Reggae Boyz have effectively recruited players from the diaspora such as Michail Antonio and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
Honduras
Honduras lead the way in a qualification group that also contains Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Antigua & Barbuda and Bermuda. Luis Palma of Olympiacos is Honduras’ main man in the 2025 qualifiers.
Who Will Qualify From Oceania?
For the first time ever, the OFC is guaranteed to have representation at World Cup 2026 – and it is pretty easy to predict which team will provide it (see below). There will also be one side from Oceania in the inter-confederation play-offs.
New Zealand
New Zealand are by far and away the World Cup qualification favourites in Oceania. They have dominated the region ever since Australia quit to join Asia in 2006.
New Zealand are due to face Fiji in the semi-finals, with Tahiti or New Caledonia awaiting in the final. The winner of that match will qualify directly, while the loser will go forward to the play-offs.
Last updated: 07.03.25
