Five nations could secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup this week – including two countries that have never reached the tournament previously.
The 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, is just over a year away.
The three host nations have already secured their spots, while Japan, New Zealand, IR Iran and Argentina have also qualified through their respective qualifying groups.
This month, qualifying will resume for AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL and UEFA nations, and five teams could book their places at the showpiece this week.
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South America’s Ecuador sit second behind Argentina in the qualification phase and could secure their place at the tournament if they beat Brazil and Venezuela draw with Bolivia on Friday, June 6, they will qualify.
Asia’s Uzbekistan are also closing in on what would be their maiden World Cup appearance. The side will qualify if they avoid defeat against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, June 5.
Four other nations - Korea Republic, Jordan, Iraq and Oman – can also qualify in June.
Korea can secure their spot on Thursday if they avoid defeat against Iraq.
Jordan, looking to book their spot for the first time, will also qualify on Thursday if they defeat Oman and Iraq lose against the Korea Republic.
Australia, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia also have hopes of qualification. But the Socceroos are the only side who can seal their spot this week; they need to defeat Japan and hope Saudi Arabia drop points against Bahrain on Thursday.
African countries cannot qualify in this international window and will have to wait until at least September.
Like Africa, no European nations under UEFA’s banner can book their spot this week as qualifying only got underway in March.
As for Oceania, New Zealand will be at the finals while the tiny island of New Caledonia will compete in the FIFA World Cup Play-Off Tournament.
According to FIFA, “The FIFA Play-off Tournament will see six sides fight it out for the final two places at the 23rd FIFA World Cup. It will involve two teams from Concacaf and one team apiece from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC. The four lowest-ranked nations 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”.
Luke Davies