The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by North American nations Canada, the USA and Mexico, will kick off on the 11th of June. A massive total of 48 nations will take part, the competition having expanded reasonably regularly over the years. Only 13 nations contested the first finals, in Uruguay, in 1930, with the figure staying between that figure and 16 until 1982, when 24 countries headed to Spain. For France 1998 that was upped again, with the hosts, who would go on to win, seeing off 31 other contenders to be crowned world champions.
But 2026 marks the first time we will see 48 countries at a FIFA World Cup finals. The game’s organising body, whose thirst for including as many teams as possible and growing the game (or making as much money as possible, depending on your point of view) knows no bounds, could even expand further in the years ahead.
Even so, with the 48 nations set to take part this time around, we are sure to see some countries make the finals that we are less accustomed to watching. With qualification far from over we have, in fact, already got three nations set to make their debut appearance at the World Cup. Who are those newbies though, and who else has already made sure of their spot at the 2026 showdown?
Hosts Earn Automatic Entry
The three host nations qualified automatically for the finals and so have avoided the rigours of the qualification process. Mexico will become the first country to host for a third time, after doing so in 1970 when Brazil won, and 1986, when Argentina were crowned champions. Those teams were spearheaded by Pele and Diego Maradona, respectively. Canada are hosting for the first time, in what will be their third visit to the tournament after 1986 and 2022. The US hosted the World Cup in 1994, making the last 16, and will hope to improve on their best performance, which was a quarter final in 2002.
Trio of Debutants
Perhaps the most excited fans at the 2026 World Cup will be those of Jordan, Uzbekistan and Cape Verde. That trio means we will have at least three nations playing at their first World Cup finals, though more countries could well join them.
Asian Qualifying Almost Complete
There could be nine AFC nations at the World Cup, and we know who eight of them will be. Joining Jordan and Uzbekistan in claiming guaranteed spots at the 2026 World Cup are the following nations:
- Australia
- Iran
- Japan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
In mid-November, the UAE and Iraq will meet over two legs. The victor will progress to the inter-confederation play-offs. Here, two North American (CONCACAF) nations, as well as one each from Asia (AFC), Africa (CSF), South America (CONMEBOL), and Oceania (OFC) will battle it out for two spots at the World Cup.
Nine African Nations Confirmed
The following nine CAF nations have booked their sport in North America:
- Algeria
- Cape Verde
- Egpyt
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Morocco
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tunisia
Nigeria meet Gabon, and Cameroon play DR Congo, before the winners meet to decide which African nation will make it to the play-offs.
CONMEBOL Qualification Also Almost Complete
In South America, we have a similar position, with Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay qualifying automatically, in that order. Argentina romped to the finals with 38 points from their 18 games, but the other five were separated by just a single point. Bolivia finished seventh of the 10 CONMEBOL nations and will face the play-offs.
The Land of Oceanic Minnows
The 48-nation tournament means that the OFC had an automatic spot for the first time ever. With Australia in the AFC for World Cup qualifying, that meant New Zealand had a simple path to North America. New Caledonia, who the Kiwis beat 3-0 in the qualification final, head to the play-offs. Ranked 150th in the world, with a population of around 300,000, they are sure to be up against it.
England Stand Alone in UEFA
UEFA has a massive 16 automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup and does not send a team to the inter-confederation play-offs. As things stand, England are the only European nation sure of their spot in North America.
Thomas Tuchel’s men have won all six of their Group K games and are seven points clear of Albania, who have just two games remaining. Elsewhere, Norway have a decent chance of upsetting Italy in Group I, and Portugal, Spain and France are almost there. However, there is still so much to play for in UEFA qualifying, both in terms of the automatic places and the play-offs, or second round, that will follow.