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Crunch time
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The countdown has already begun. There's just three months until the World Cup returns. And this time, thankfully, it's back to it's usual slot in the British summer time. This June, USA, Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup, which will be the biggest edition in the tournament's history, with as many as 48 nations competing for world football's most coveted international prize. Only eight countries have ever managed to win the World Cup.
Four years ago in Qatar's winter World Cup, Argentina lifted the famous trophy for the third time, as captain Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the one accolade that had previously always alluded him. With tonight's World Cup play-offs set to decide who takes the final six places, let's take a look at the 42 nations that have already confirmed their place at the competition.
Let's begin with the three host nations, who were guaranteed a place and didn't need to take part in the qualification process. USA, Canada, and Mexico will all play games in their own back yard next summer. This September, the South American qualification group was concluded, with Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay all confirming their place. Bolivia will also have a chance to qualify but will have to win a play-off game against Iraq to make it.
From the Asian qualification process, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, South Korea, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Australia have already sealed their flight to North America. From Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ivory Coast and South Africa have all booked their place, whilst from Oceania, New Zealand have sealed their (very long) flight to next summer's World Cup. England became the first European nation to seal their spot, with France, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Belgium and even Scotland following.
From North America, Panama, Haiti and Curaçao, despite only having a population of only 185,000, have booked their place in their own continent's tournament next summer. The only nations from those listed above who have never previously been to a World Cup are Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curaçao and Cape Verde who will both be making their maiden appearances in North America.
