Six teams will compete in a new tournament to determine who will play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
As of today (June 2), we are 374 days away from the greatest show on earth. But this time around, there are significant changes compared to previous World Cup formats and qualification routes.
Hosts USA, Canada and Mexico qualified automatically while Japan, New Zealand, IR Iran and Argentina have also qualified through qualification group phases.
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This week, up to five other nations can secure their places at the finals if results go their way.
And nine nations are still on track to make their first appearances at a World Cup, with Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cabo Verde, Curacao, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Suriname, Venezuela, and New Caledonia all still vying for debuts.
New Caledonia could’ve secured their spot back in March but were defeated 3-0 by New Zealand in the OFC final.
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But they have a second chance.
In March 2026, six nations will compete in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, which, according to FIFA, “will see six sides fight it out for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“It will involve two teams from Concacaf and one team apiece from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC, and will take place in March 2026 during the international fixture window which runs from 23 - 31 March.
“From the six teams who qualify, the four lowest-ranked nations in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings will meet in the bracket semi-finals. The two highest-ranked teams will go directly into the finals. The winners of the two bracket finals will reach the FIFA World Cup 26”.
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World football’s governing body made the decision to test the tournament after discussions during the 2017 FIFA Council Congress.
FIFA defend expanded World Cup
The 2022 World Cup saw 32 teams compete, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino was keen to see the competition expanded and insisted the reason for this was not money.
"Costa Rica eliminated England and Italy in the last World Cup [2014, a good solid team and there are many other teams who could make it to the World Cup," Infantino told BBC Sport in 2017.
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"I believe that the actual quality could rise, because many more countries will have the chance to qualify so they will invest in their elite football as well as grassroots."
He added: "The game has changed. Football has now become a truly global game. Everyone is happy about investment in Europe, but what about helping outside Europe? They need to be open."
Topics: FIFA World Cup, Football, FIFA, Gianni Infantino
Luke Davies