The battle for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is heating up as countries across continents reach closer to filling a slot in the expanded 48-team tournament hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada. As 20 teams have already qualified, the October international break could welcome many more.
Below are qualification scenarios across confederations during the current international break:
UEFA (Europe): Main Qualification Scenarios
England
England, led by Thomas Tuchel, will secure qualification if they win against Latvia and Serbia lose to Albania. England will also qualify if Serbia lose either of their next two games.
Spain
Current Euro 2024 champions, Spain, can more or less secure a qualifying position if they win against Georgia and Bulgaria, and Turkey lose either of its games (Georgia or Bulgaria).
Norway
Topping Group I, Norway may make its first World Cup appearance since 1938 by beating Israel, as long as second-placed Italy lose points in their encounters with Estonia and Israel.
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Portugal
Portugal, at the top of Group F, will qualify if they win both their matches against Republic of Ireland and Hungary and Armenia pick up no more than two points from its two matches.
Switzerland
From Group B, Switzerland will qualify with victory over Slovenia, provided Kosovo also lose points to Sweden.
France
France can qualify for the tournament if they defeat Iceland and Ukraine are defeated by Azerbaijan in Group D.
Croatia
Croatia, in Group H, can practically qualify if they defeat Gibraltar and Czechia lose to the Faroe Islands, because of better goal difference of Croatia.
CAF (Africa): Countries on the Verge
Egypt & Algeria – Already Qualified
Egypt and Algeria have already earned their places at the 2026 World Cup through CAF qualification over the recent international break.
Ghana
Ghana can seal qualification from Group I by not losing to Comoros, irrespective of Madagascar vs Mali.
Cape Verde & Cameroon
Cape Verde will debut in the World Cup with a victory over Eswatini.
A draw would be enough if Cameroon can’t defeat Angola.
For Cameroon, qualification depends on Cape Verde losing and then them picking up all three points in their last group game.
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Senegal
Senegal is poised for a third straight World Cup qualification and requires only a draw against Mauritania, thanks to their superior goal difference. Congo, on the other hand, will have to beat Sudan and rely on Senegal losing.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast will qualify with a victory over Kenya. A draw would suffice if Gabon loses to Burundi.
Nigeria, Benin & South Africa – Group C Drama
A three-way encounter has all still in the running:
Nigeria have to beat Benin by two goals or more and rely on South Africa to drop points against Rwanda.
South Africa require a win and Benin to lose.
Benin, ahead now, will qualify with a draw if South Africa fail to win by two goals.
CONCACAF (North America): No Confirmations Yet
No CONCACAF team can seal qualification this window. But crucial matchups will determine the final dash:
Honduras and Haiti, both on five points in Group C, meet on October 13 in a do-or-die match.
In Group B, Jamaica vs. Curaçao winner will be in a commanding position before November’s decisive games.
AFC (Asia): Two Giants Near the Finish Line
Saudi Arabia
A victory over Iraq in Round 4 will secure Saudi Arabia a qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Qatar
Qatar stand a chance to qualify if they win over the UAE in their sole remaining match provided Oman doesn’t defeat the Emiratis in their encounter.
