With the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the qualifying campaigns throughout each confederation are approaching their decisive levels. Almost 20 nationwide groups might lock of their ticket to subsequent summer season’s match with sturdy ends in the October worldwide break — together with France and Portugal.
UEFA’s qualifiers are the shortest of any confederation. In simply 6 or 8 matches, Europe’s prime groups can punch their ticket to the World Cup — and that’s precisely what might occur this month. Whereas not within the first Matchday of October, by subsequent week a few of the world’s largest stars could already be celebrating qualification.
If Portugal defeat the Republic of Eire and Hungary, together with favorable ends in the opposite Group F matches, Cristiano Ronaldo will formally be headed to the 2026 World Cup — even with two November video games nonetheless remaining. Kylian Mbappe’s France are in the same place: they have to beat Azerbaijan and Iceland, and hope for assist elsewhere within the group.
European giants like England and Spain face the identical alternative. The Three Lions, nonetheless, have a small distinction: they’ll be off this week — taking part in a pleasant towards Wales — so their solely qualifier is towards Latvia on Tuesday, October 14. In the event that they win that and Serbia drop factors, they may clinch early.
Harry Kane’s England might safe their spot within the World Cup 2026 subsequent week.
Different UEFA nationwide groups that might qualify for the match in the US, Mexico, and Canada embrace Croatia, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Norway. The final two signify particular circumstances: Slovakia have solely appeared in a single World Cup — South Africa 2010 — and now have a sensible likelihood to return, though they’re competing towards Germany in Group A. Norway, in the meantime, have performed in three World Cups, however not since France 1998. Now, led by Erling Haaland, they’re on the verge of returning after practically three a long time.
see additionally
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers TV Schedule in USA
World Cup qualifiers in Africa
To this point, simply two African nations have secured a spot on the 2026 World Cup: Morocco and Tunisia. However as much as six extra groups might be part of them in the course of the October worldwide break. The groups with the clearest path are Algeria, Cape Verde, and Egypt — every needing only one extra win.
As well as, three extra nationwide groups might clinch a spot in the event that they win their subsequent matches and get assist elsewhere of their respective teams. These groups are Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Senegal.
Concacaf World Cup qualifiers
In Concacaf, the present qualifying course of has naturally been impacted by the area’s position as match host. The three strongest groups — the US, Mexico, and Canada — are mechanically certified. Mixed with the expanded format of the match, this has opened the door for nationwide groups that, below earlier methods, could have struggled to succeed in the World Cup.
Proper now, Jamaica lead Group B of the third spherical and will safe a spot in subsequent summer season’s match with wins over Curaçao and Bermuda throughout this worldwide break — supplied sure different outcomes fall their approach. The identical goes for Honduras in Group C, who face Costa Rica and Haiti.
see additionally
The way to purchase tickets for 2025 October worldwide friendlies within the USA
The place issues stand in Asia’s qualifiers
Within the AFC, six groups have already certified: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Australia. Two extra groups will be part of them after the October worldwide break, throughout which every remaining contender will play two matches within the fourth spherical.
Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman will face off in three matches scheduled for October 8, 11, and 14. The group that finishes prime of the group standings will earn a World Cup berth. The identical format applies to the opposite group, which incorporates Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia.
What’s subsequent within the World Cup qualifiers?
No matter what number of groups qualify in October, the World Cup qualifying course of will proceed into November. By then, most confederations could have finalized their direct qualifiers — or at the least the nations advancing to the playoffs.
In contrast to earlier editions of the World Cup, the December 5 attract Washington, D.C. will nonetheless have a number of open slots. That’s as a result of the ultimate qualification matches might be held in March 2026.
see additionally
Lionel Messi loses key teammate for Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener
At the moment, the European playoffs will happen, involving groups that completed in qualifying positions for them. Individually, an intercontinental playoff might be held in Mexico, that includes groups from South America, Concacaf, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. As of now, the one groups confirmed for that spherical are Bolivia and New Caledonia.
