The 48 teams that will participate in the 2026 World Cup have been revealed.
The final six spots were decided in March, with four European teams – Sweden, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic – qualifying through UEFA play-offs.
The remaining two spots were taken by Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who qualified through an inter-confederation play-off. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, who saw off Jamaica, ended a 52-year wait, while Iraq, who defeated Bolivia in a decision, returned to soccer’s marquee event for the first time in 40 years.
Curacao was among the countries that had already booked their spots before the playoffs, making the Caribbean island the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, won the Qatar World Cup and will defend the title in 2026.
Curaçao will join hosts Argentina, home countries England and Scotland in the tournament, which will be held between June 11 and July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The competition will be the largest ever, with 48 countries participating, 16 more than in Qatar in 2022. The countries that have qualified for the tournament are:
2026 World Cup Group
Group A: Mexico, Czech Republic, South Africa, South Korea
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Türkiye
Group E: Curacao, Ecuador, Germany/Ivory Coast
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay
Group I: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq
Group J: Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Colombia, Jamaica, Portugal, Uzbekistan
Group L: Croatia, England, Ghana, Panama
World Cup match schedule and combinations
The full schedule for the World Cup was announced after the draw, with the opening game being held in Mexico City.
The final game will be held at New York/New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Group Stage: June 11th-27th
Round of 32: June 28th to July 3rd
Round 16: July 4-7
Quarterfinals: July 9th-11th
Semi-finals: July 14th-15th
3rd place match (“Bronze Final”): July 18th
Last day: July 19th
