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The qualifying rounds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on October 12, 2023, when Myanmar faced Macau and secured a 5-1 victory, featuring Lwin Moe Aung’s first goal. Although the list of 45 countries vying for spots in the tournament hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada has evolved, most confederations are making steady progress.
Japan was the first to qualify on March 20, soon followed by New Zealand, Iran, and Argentina shortly afterward.
Current Developments This Week
European qualifiers will start in March, while Africa will pause in June and Oceania will finish last. The main stage of the Asian qualifiers wraps up this week, resulting in two more teams clinching World Cup spots. Meanwhile, South America has four rounds remaining, with Argentina anticipated to increase its tally of participants.
In CONCACAF, the second round concludes, but no direct qualifications will occur in this phase. This is a snapshot of the global qualification landscape.
Qualifications So Far (4/45): Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina
The qualification path to the World Cup remains intricate, featuring multiple stages to determine eight automatic entries. The crux of this process takes place in June.
- Round 1: In October 2023, the lowest-ranked nations engaged in two-legged matches. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, and Yemen progressed.
- Round 2: The 10 victors from Round 1 joined the 26 top-ranked countries. These 36 teams were divided into nine groups of four, with the top two advancing to Round 3, which commenced in November 2023 and will wrap up in June 2024.
Final Standings
Qualified: Australia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.
- Round 3: Eighteen teams are currently grouped into three sets of six, with matches starting in September 2024 and concluding in June. The group winners and runners-up will secure their World Cup berths.
Japan made history as the first team to qualify on March 20, with Iran continuing the trend on March 25. The six teams finishing third and fourth are set to move to Round 4.
Prospects for the Week Ahead
Group A
Uzbekistan (17 points) and the United Arab Emirates (13 points) are vying for second place behind Iran. Their matchup on Thursday is crucial; if the UAE loses, they risk elimination, while Uzbekistan hopes for a win that would secure a World Cup debut.
Group B
South Korea (16 points) occupies the top spot. Iraq (12 points) could complicate matters with a win against them, while Kuwait (5 points) aims for success against Palestine (6 points).
Group C
Australia (13 points) will face qualified Japan on Thursday; a victory would ensure their passage. Saudi Arabia (10 points) must win against Bahrain (6 points) to avoid slipping below and losing ground.
The exciting action continues with essential matches slated for Tuesday.
Upcoming Matches
- Thursday: Ecuador vs. Brazil, Paraguay vs. Uruguay, Chile vs. Argentina
- Friday: Colombia vs. Peru, Venezuela vs. Bolivia
- Tuesday: Bolivia vs. Chile, Uruguay vs. Venezuela, Argentina vs. Colombia, Brazil vs. Paraguay, Peru vs. Ecuador
Qualifying for European teams commenced on March 21, with most nations not involved in the UEFA Nations League playing their opening games. With 54 countries participating, the group stage comprises 12 groups, with matches held home and away leading up to the November conclusion.
Group Stage Details – UEFA
The group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the runners-up will enter a playoff.
The final four World Cup spots will be available through UEFA playoffs in March 2026. Sixteen teams will participate, composed of 12 runners-up and four top-ranked teams not finishing in the top two of their qualifying groups.
CONCACAF and Other Regions
CONCACAF usually has six automatic qualification slots, but with three reserved for hosts, two spots will be contested through playoffs. The structure involves multiple rounds to determine the teams qualifying from this region.
Africa and Oceania
In Africa, the second round will shape the playoffs for intercontinental qualification, while Oceania narrows down its representatives through knockout stages.
Overall, the qualification race is heating up as nations position themselves for the prestigious tournament.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer fans as it highlights the unfolding drama of World Cup qualifiers, where hopes and dreams are on the line for teams and their supporters. The intense competition and intricate qualification processes set the stage for thrilling games, underscoring the global passion for the sport and the excitement leading up to the World Cup.
