The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The expanded format has changed which qualification storylines matter and which nations remain in the conversation as the final qualifying rounds approach.
The CONMEBOL picture
Argentina and Brazil are through. Uruguay are essentially through. The fight for the remaining direct slots and the playoff position involves Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Chile in a four-way race for the last two automatic spots.
UEFA still finalizing
European qualifying continues with the typical mix of expected entrants and group-stage drama. The expanded format gives more European teams credible paths, but several traditional contenders remain in their group races until the final matchdays.
African qualifiers
The African pathway has been the most surprising of any confederation. Multiple traditional powers are facing real qualification challenges while smaller nations have surged. Watch the late-stage matches; several will go to final-day decisions.
What it means for the tournament
A larger, more inclusive tournament with more first-time qualifiers will likely produce more group-stage upsets and a different feel from the 32-team era. The knockout rounds will still be where elite quality wins, but the group stage gets meaningfully more interesting.