The 2026 World Cup is going to be as stacked as ever.
For the first time in the tournament’s lengthy history, there will be 48 nations competing for soccer’s most treasured prize — an uptick from the previous 32-team field.
The summer of 2026 is still a ways away, but the number of qualified nations has already hit double digits, including the hosts.
The United States, Mexico and Canada all earned automatic qualifications due to their co-hosting agreement, so CONCACAF qualifying has gotten easier for the rest of the countries.
So, who else has joined the three hosts? Here’s a running tracker as nations punch their ticket:
The U.S., Mexico and Canada getting automatic berths means there are 45 spots to be claimed. Here’s a breakdown by region as teams qualify:
CONCACAF – North America, Caribbean Islands (3 automatic spots + 2 enter playoff):
No qualified teams yet (excludes U.S., Mexico, Canada).
AFC – Asia (8 automatic spots + 1 …