Forty-two teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup so far, with six more places up for grabs at next summer's 48-team tournament.
Among those to have booked their place already are Curacao, with the Caribbean island becoming the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup.
Curacao will join holders Argentina and home nations England and Scotland at the tournament, which is taking place across three host nations - Canada, Mexico and USA - from June 11 to July 19.
It will be the biggest yet, with 48 nations taking part - 16 more than in Qatar 2022. Here are the countries that have qualified so far for the tournament...
World Cup 2026 qualified teams
The final two of 48 total spots will be filled through intercontinental play-off matches.
104 days to go.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2026
104 matches at #FIFAWorldCup 2026 🤯 pic.twitter.com/SEKh5frxVy
Who else can qualify?
There are six spots still to be decided, and four of those will be taken by European teams via UEFA's play-offs.
The other two remaining places at the World Cup will be taken by teams from the other confederations with Iraq, DR Congo, Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname battling for the chance to qualify via the two inter-confederation paths.
As Wales and Northern Ireland were drawn in the same path, the two nations could meet in a potential play-off final, hosted by the Red Dragons. Should Republic of Ireland win their semi-final they will have home advantage in the final against Denmark or North Macedonia.
The one-legged semi-finals will take place on Thursday, March 26 at 5pm or 7.45pm, and the finals on Tuesday March 31 with kick-off times of 5pm or 7.45pm.
World Cup qualifying play-off draw in full
Play-off Path A:
Semi-final: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Final: Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy/Northern Ireland
Play-off Path B:
Semi-final: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final: Poland vs Albania
Final: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania
Play-off Path C:
Semi-final: Turkey vs Romania
Semi-final: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final: Slovakia/Kosovo vs Turkey/Romania
Play-off Path D:
Semi-final: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Final: Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia
Play-off Path A:
Semi-final: New Caledonia vs Jamaica
Final: New Caledonia/Jamaica vs Congo
Play-off Path B:
Semi-final: Bolivia vs Suriname
Final: Bolivia/Suriname vs Iraq
The draw for the 2026 World Cup took place in Washington on December 5, with US President Donald Trump joining FIFA President Gianni Infantino to decide the group stage fixtures.
England will start their campaign against Croatia, while Scotland begin against Haiti.
The full World Cup match schedule was released after the draw, with the opening game held in Mexico City.
The final will take place at the New York-New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium - home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Group stage: June 11-27
Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarter-finals: July 9-11
Semi-finals: July 14-15
Third-place play-off ('Bronze final'): July 18
Final: July 19
When is the 2026 World Cup draw?
World Cup 2026 match schedule

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