The ultimate matches of the September worldwide break have been performed on Tuesday, with groups throughout each confederation combating for a spot on the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to happen subsequent summer season in North America. With the newest ends in, 18 nations have now clinched their place.
5 groups sealed qualification throughout this window alone. Three of them got here from South America, the place the ultimate two matchdays of the qualifiers have been performed, confirming all six automated spots from the area. Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia joined Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador as South America’s representatives at subsequent yr’s event.
Uruguay secured their qualification with a dominant 3–0 win over Peru at residence on Thursday, permitting them to journey to Chile with out added strain. Paraguay earned their spot due to a draw towards Ecuador and an away win over Peru. Colombia showcased their attacking firepower with a pair of high-scoring wins: 3–0 towards Bolivia and 6–3 over Venezuela.
There have been additionally main developments in Africa. Two nations formally punched their tickets throughout this window. Morocco locked up the highest spot in Group E — and a direct World Cup berth — with wins over Niger and Zambia.
Darwin Nunez’s Uruguay secured a spot within the 2026 World Cup.
Tunisia did the identical in Group H. Regardless of two matchdays nonetheless remaining on this spherical of qualifiers, their victories over Liberia and Equatorial Guinea gave them an unassailable lead atop the standings, making them the second African crew to qualify for the 2026 event.
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The 18 groups already certified for the World Cup 2026
5 of the six world confederations now have not less than one crew certified for the World Cup. The one exception is Europe, the place groups are nonetheless within the early phases of qualifying after wrapping up the UEFA Nations League this summer season.
The primary three groups to qualify have been, after all, the 2026 hosts. United States, Mexico, and Canada are the preliminary representatives from Concacaf. From South America, the six automated qualifiers are Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Colombia.
Asia’s direct qualifiers are additionally set: Australia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. The latter two are at present the one confirmed debutants for the following World Cup. Oceania might be represented by New Zealand, whereas Africa’s confirmed groups are Tunisia and Morocco.
Which groups might qualify for the World Cup quickly?
Two extra worldwide breaks are scheduled for 2025 — in October and November — throughout which a number of decisive World Cup qualifying matches will happen. In Africa, the ultimate matchdays might be performed, and the remaining seven direct qualifiers might be decided to affix Tunisia and Morocco.
The highest contenders in every group embody Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Algeria, and Ghana. After that, the 4 finest runners-up will compete in a mini-tournament to resolve Africa’s consultant within the intercontinental playoff. Bolivia (South America) and New Caledonia (Oceania) have already certified for that event.
In Asia, the fourth spherical of qualifiers kicks off in October. Two teams of three groups will compete in a round-robin format: Group 1 options Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman; Group 2 contains Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia. The winner of every group will qualify immediately for the World Cup, whereas the runners-up will face off for a spot within the intercontinental playoff.
In Concacaf, the October and November home windows will decide the winners of every of the three remaining teams — all of whom will qualify immediately for the World Cup. One of the best two runners-up will advance to the intercontinental playoff.
In Europe, qualifying is shorter than in different areas, so some groups might safe their spots quickly. France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, and England look like on the quick observe to qualification.
