The two-year qualifying process for the 2026 World Cup is nearly complete, with 28 nations booking their spots in next summer’s tournament. While traditional powerhouses like Argentina, Brazil, and England have predictably secured their places, it’s the smaller nations, many competing for the first time, that have written the most compelling chapters in this qualifying cycle.
Cape Verde: The Tiny Island Nation That Shocked Africa
In one of the greatest underdog stories in World Cup qualifying history, Cape Verde secured qualification for the first time ever, stunning Group D favourites Cameroon to claim the top spot in the Confederation of African Football’s qualifying process. The accomplishment becomes even more remarkable when you consider the numbers.
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With a population of just 527,000, Cape Verde becomes the second least-populous nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, trailing only Iceland’s 352,000 when they qualified for 2018. Even more astonishing: at 4,000 square kilometres spread across ten islands, Cape Verde will be the smallest country by land area ever to appear at a World Cup—even smaller than Trinidad and Tobago when they qualified for Germany 2006.
Back in June 2024, after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Cameroon, barely anyone gave Cape Verde a chance to emerge from Group D. But the Blue Sharks had other plans. On the final matchday, Cape Verde delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Eswatini to seal their fate, while Cameroon could only manage a 0-0 draw with Angola. The nation was so ecstatic that the government declared a half-day holiday so the entire country could watch the qualifying match, underscoring just how meaningful this historic achievement is for the island nation.
Jordan and Uzbekistan: Asia’s Surprise Packages
Asia produced not one, but two World Cup debutants in this qualifying cycle, both defying expectations to claim their historic berths.
Uzbekistan was the first new nation to punch its ticket to the 2026 World Cup, securing its place following a scoreless draw with the United Arab Emirates on June 5, finishing second in their group behind Iran. For a nation that had never qualified before, finishing ahead of established Asian footballing nations represents a monumental achievement. The Central Asian country of 36 million proved they belong on the world stage.
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Jordan followed as the second debutant, claiming a dominant 3-0 win over Oman on the final matchday of Group B. With South Korea’s victory over Iraq, Jordan clinched second place in the group and, with it, a ticket to North America. While Jordan doesn’t boast a squad filled with global superstars beyond Rennes winger Mousa Tamari, you can’t qualify for the World Cup unless you win matches when it matters most—and that’s exactly what they did.
Qatar: Proving It Wasn’t Just About Being Hosts
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While Qatar competed at the 2022 World Cup as hosts, their 2026 qualification carries special significance. The hosts of the 2022 edition reached the finals for the first time through the qualification route, proving that their previous appearance wasn’t merely ceremonial. They’ve earned their place on merit this time, silencing critics who questioned whether they belonged at the highest level.
The Expansion Effect: Opening Doors for Football’s Minnows
The expansion from 32 to 48 teams has fundamentally changed the World Cup landscape, giving nations like Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan realistic pathways to football’s biggest stage. The qualification process, which began in November 2023 and concluded in October 2025, has produced a more diverse field than ever before.
Africa qualified nine teams: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Asia sent eight nations through direct qualification. Oceania received its first-ever guaranteed berth, claimed by New Zealand. South America saw six teams qualify directly: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
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With 28 teams already qualified and 20 spots remaining, the drama continues. European qualifying extends through November 2025, with playoff matches scheduled for March 2026. The CONCACAF region beyond the three host nations of Canada, Mexico, and the United States still has three direct qualification spots and two intercontinental playoff places to determine. The intercontinental playoffs in March 2026 will provide one final opportunity for nations to secure their World Cup dreams.
For Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, the journey from qualifying minnows to World Cup participants is complete. Their presence at the 2026 tournament serves as a reminder that in football, David can still slay Goliath—and sometimes, the smallest nations create the biggest stories.
Who Has Qualified for the World Cup 2026?
The 2026 World Cup will include 48 teams, a huge jump up from the 32 that participated in Qatar 2022. As of mid-October 2025, 28 nations have qualified.
Here is a complete list of every country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup:
Host Nations: Canada, Mexico, United States
Asia (8 teams): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
Africa (9 teams): Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
CONCACAF: None yet (beyond hosts)
READ ALSO: Cape Verde makes history, becomes second smallest country to qaulify for first World Cup
Europe (1 team): England
Oceania (1 team): New Zealand
South America (6 teams): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
The Final Spot, Play-Offs, Format, Dates, and Final Qualification Path
The 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs will determine the final teams to qualify for the expanded 48-nation tournament to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In Africa (CAF), the play-offs will be held in Morocco from November 13–16, 2025, featuring the four best runners-up from the nine qualifying groups. The mini-tournament will consist of two semi-finals and a final, with the winner advancing to the Inter-Confederation Play-Offs in March 2026.
In Asia (AFC), a two-legged tie in November 2025 between fourth-round qualifiers will decide which team progresses to the global play-offs.
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