The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, 2026, marking history as the first 48-team tournament hosted across three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Qualification is close to conclusion, and the draw for the group stage, held in December 2025, means 42 of the sides that have made it to Qatar are now known, with a further six determined through UEFA and interconfederational play-offs in March 2026. This expanded structure leaves underrepresented areas for the first time with a chance to play on soccer’s grandest stage.
This comprehensive guide will detail everything from how confederation qualification worked to the inter-confederation play-offs, as well as which cities are hosting matches, tickets that you can buy for as low as $60, and advice on planning your travel. Whether you plan to go or just want to see which countries advance, we’ve got you covered.
The 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign kicked off in September 2023 and is the largest in FIFA history. Unlike the past, the 48-team structure will split more spaces for each confederation, guaranteeing broader global participation.
Altogether, 206 teams competed in the qualifiers, with over 880 matches played across the globe. The number of berths and the qualification process for each confederation, with the exception of the host, depend on the qualifying algorithms set by FIFA. Qualifying method There are various ways to qualify among continents: Confirmed as finals hosts: 1 berth each All remaining FIFA member associations had a chance to qualify for World Cup berths (over 200 teams). As of December 2025, most places have been filled; only six have yet to be decided in the March 2026 UEFA play-offs and inter-confederation play-offs.
The three host countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—all received automatic bids, joining 45 other teams in competing for the remaining places.
2026 World Cup Qualification Slots by Confederation
FIFA has allocated the 48 spots in the tournament so that all parts of the world are represented and to provide better opportunities for developing soccer nations. The allocation is wider than at previous World Cups, with extra places for Africa and Asia.
Confederation | Direct Slots | Play-off Slots | Total (Including Hosts) |
AFC (Asia) | 8 | 1 | 8-9 |
CAF (Africa) | 9 | 1 | 9-10 |
CONCACAF (North/Central America & Caribbean) | 3 | 2 | 6-8 (includes 3 hosts) |
CONMEBOL (South America) | 6 | 1 | 6-7 |
OFC (Oceania) | 1 | 1 | 1-2 |
UEFA (Europe) | 16 | 0 | 16 |
Hosts (Canada, Mexico, USA) | Automatic | – | 3 |
How Each Confederation Qualifies for the 2026 World Cup
Each confederation conducts its own qualifying competition that features different formats and schedules. Here is a close look at how the teams from various regions of the world qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
AFC (Asian Football Confederation)
Format: Multi-round system starting with knockouts for lower-ranked teams, followed by group stages. The third round featured 18 teams in three groups, with the top two from each group qualifying directly. Additional rounds determined extra qualifiers and playoff spots.
Qualification Period: October 2023 to November 2025
Qualified Teams: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
CAF (Confederation of African Football)
Format: 54 teams divided into nine groups of six, with group winners qualifying directly. The best runners-up compete in playoffs for the inter-confederation spot.
Qualification Period: November 2023 to November 2025
Qualified Teams: Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
CONCACAF (North, Central America & Caribbean)
Format: Begins with knockout rounds, then progresses to group stages. Top performers advance to the World Cup, with the three host nations (Canada, Mexico, and the USA) automatically qualified.
Qualification Period: March 2024 to November 2025
Qualified Teams: Canada (host), Curaçao, Haiti, Mexico (host), Panama, USA (host)
CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation)
Format: Single round-robin tournament with all 10 teams playing home and away matches against each other. The top six teams qualify directly.
Qualification Period: September 2023 to September 2025
Qualified Teams: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
OFC (Oceania Football Confederation)
Format: Knockout rounds and group stages leading to a final qualifier stage that determines the confederation’s representative.
Qualification Period: September 2024 to March 2025
Qualified Team: New Zealand
UEFA (Union of European Football Associations)
Format: 54 teams divided into 12 groups, with group winners qualifying directly. Runners-up and select UEFA Nations League teams enter playoffs in March 2026 to determine the remaining four European spots.
Qualification Period: March 2025 to March 2026 (play-offs pending)
Qualified Teams (Group Winners): Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Pending: Four additional teams will qualify through UEFA play-offs in March 2026.
2026 World Cup Inter-Confederation Play-Offs Explained
The final two World Cup spots will be decided in a six-team inter-confederation play-off tournament scheduled for March 2026. This format gives teams from different confederations one last chance to secure their place in the tournament.
Participating Teams:
- Bolivia (CONMEBOL)
- DR Congo (CAF)
- Iraq (AFC)
- Jamaica (CONCACAF)
- New Caledonia (OFC)
- Suriname (CONCACAF)
All matches will be held in Mexico, with the two tournament winners securing their berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
2026 FIFA World Cup Groups: Complete Draw Results
The official 2026 World Cup draw took place on December 5, 2025, in Miami, placing the 42 qualified teams (plus six playoff placeholders) into 12 groups of four. The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026, with matches across all 16 host cities.
Key Matchups to Watch: USA vs. Paraguay (Group D), Argentina vs. Algeria (Group J), Brazil vs. Morocco (Group C), and Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire (Group E).
Complete Group Stage Lineup
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Republic of Korea, UEFA Play-off D winner
Group B: Canada, UEFA Play-off A winner, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Play-off C winner
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Play-off B winner, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Play-off 2 winner, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, FIFA Play-off 1 winner, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
2026 World Cup Host Cities: Complete Map & Venue Guide
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played across 16 cities in three countries, marking the first time the tournament spans multiple nations. The geographic spread creates an unprecedented soccer festival across North America.
United States (11 cities): Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
Canada (2 cities): Toronto, Vancouver
Mexico (3 cities): Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
Key Venues & Important Matches
MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey): Hosts the 2026 World Cup Final on July 19, 2026. Capacity: 82,500
SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles): Hosts key knockout matches and semifinals. State-of-the-art indoor stadium. Capacity: 70,000
Azteca Stadium (Mexico City): Historic venue that previously hosted World Cup Finals in 1970 and 1986. Capacity: 87,000
For a visual overview of all host cities and their locations, visit the official FIFA 2026 World Cup website.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend the 2026 World Cup?
Planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Understanding the costs involved is essential for budgeting your once-in-a-lifetime soccer experience. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you can expect to spend.
2026 World Cup Ticket Prices
FIFA introduced a new pricing structure for the 2026 World Cup after fan feedback, including a budget-friendly Supporter Entry Tier.
Ticket Price Ranges:
- Supporter Entry Tier: $60 (available for all 104 matches, including the final)
- Group Stage Standard: $120-$300
- Group Stage Premium: $400-$700
- Knockout Rounds: $200-$1,000+
- Final Match: $500-$3,000+
Prices vary based on match importance, venue location, and seating category. Check the official FIFA ticketing website for the most current pricing and availability.
Travel & Accommodation Costs
Estimated Travel Budget:
- Flights: $300-$800 round-trip from major U.S. cities; $1,000-$2,500+ for international travelers
- Accommodation: $200-$500 per night during peak tournament season (budget 7-10 nights)
- Daily Expenses: $100-$200 for food, local transportation, and match-day costs
Total Estimated Cost for One Week: $2,000-$5,000 per person (excluding match tickets)
Pro Tips: Book flights and hotels 6-12 months in advance for better rates. Consider staying outside major city centers and using public transportation to save money. Follow your team’s group stage schedule to minimize travel between cities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 World Cup
How many teams make the 2026 World Cup?
There will be 48 nations playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup—up from 32. That includes three automatic qualifiers (the host nations) and 45 teams from confederation qualifying.
When is the 2026 World Cup going to start?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026, and end with the final on July 19, 2026. The group stage runs from June 11 to 27, and the knockout rounds go from there.
How much are tickets for the 2026 World Cup?
Tickets begin at $60 for the Supporter Entry Tier (open to all matches). Standard tickets for group stage games start at $120 and top out at around a few hundred dollars, while premium seats and knockout matches can cost from $400 to more than $3,000. Final-match tickets start at $500 and go to more than $3,000.
Who is hosting the 2026 World Cup?
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup at 16 venues. Their match took place as part of the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries and the first in North America since 1994.
Where is the final being held?
The final of the 2026 World Cup will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York/New Jersey area) on July 19.
Plan Your 2026 World Cup Trip Now
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been an astounding odyssey for teams all around the globe, and it is time to gear up as we all wait with bated breath. There are six remaining berths, via the March 2026 play-offs, to be determined in a sport that thrives on live action and been-there-done-that bragging rights at water coolers around the globe, with soccer fans everywhere counting down to kickoff on June 11, 2026.
Whether you’re hoping to catch the games in person or tuning in from the comfort of home, this historic 48-team World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will provide unmatched drama and inspiration.
Begin plotting now to reserve your seat at the largest World Cup in history:
• Keep an eye on official FIFA ticket sales for the forthcoming sales window
• Flights and hotels to be booked 6-12 months in advance
• Check international visa requirements if you’ll be traveling overseas
• Keep track of play-off results to find out which teams make up the 48-team field
For the latest updates on qualification results, ticket releases, and travel planning tips, visit FIFA’s official 2026 World Cup website.
About This Guide
This comprehensive guide to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification is regularly updated with the latest information from official FIFA sources. Last updated: December 20, 2025.
