World Cup qualifying is hurtling towards a conclusion with some of the final places ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico up for grabs over the coming days.
So far, 39 teams have booked their places in what has already been a historic campaign for three first-time qualifiers, with Jordan, Uzbekistan and the Cape Verde islands all through to the 48-team finals.
The final round of European qualifying has concluded, with the likes of Scotland, Spain and Switzerland joining some of the tournament’s favourites, such as England and France, in ensuring their participation next summer.
Elsewhere, we have largely reached play-off time across the rest of the world; and that’s before the rest of the European play-offs and inter-continental play-offs in March. Confusingly, those games will take place after the World Cup draw is made on Friday 5 December.
Europe
Qualifying places available: 16
Teams already qualified: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Scotland
The final round of European qualifying has concluded, with each group winner receiving an automatic place at next summer’s tournament finals. The 12 group runners-up then go through to the play-offs in March, alongside four teams who earned a play-off spot with their Nations League performances, and four more teams will qualify for the World Cup. This requires a group-by-group breakdown.
Group A
Germany thrashed Slovakia in the group decider to qualify automatically, with Slovakia going through to the play-offs. Northern Ireland, who finished third, are also into the play-offs.
Group B
Switzerland have qualified automatically after drawing 1-1 with second-placed Kosovo, who they had a three-point advantage over going into the final match-day. Kosovo will compete in the play-offs. Sweden have parachuted in Graham Potter and they will go into the play-offs thanks to their Nations League performances.
Group C
What drama. Scotland have booked their place at a first World Cup since 1998 after two stoppage-time stunners helped them overcome Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park, leapfrogging the Danes into the automatic qualification spot. Denmark will have to go through the play-offs.
Group D
France are through after beating second-placed Ukraine 4-0 at the Parc des Princes on Thursday. Ukraine then beat Iceland 2-0 to book a play-off spot.
Group E
Group E’s outcome was never in doubt - Spain were looking pretty with a three-point lead over Turkey and a massive advantage in goal difference going into their clash. Their 2-2 draw with the Turks meant nothing changes, with Spain progressing to the World Cup. Turkey will be in the play-offs.
Group F
Oh my goodness. After Ireland’s stunning win over Portugal revived their hopes ahead of a must-win trip to Hungary, Troy Parrott completed his hat-trick in the final minute to send the Irish into the play-offs at the expense of the hosts, who were seconds from going through. Without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal wrapped up top spot with a 9-1 win over Armenia.
Group G
The Netherlands had all but qualified after their draw against Poland and finished the job against Lithuania on the final day, while Poland locked up second place and thus a play-off spot.
Group H
Austria came from behind to hold Bosnia-Herzegovina to a 1-1 draw, ensuring they didn’t relinquish top spot of their group on the final day. Bosnia-Herzegovina, who needed a win to overtake the Austrians, settle for the play-offs.
Group I
Norway celebrated their return to a men’s World Cup with a 4-1 win at Italy, who go through to the World Cup play-offs for the third consecutive time. The Italians, four-time World Cup winners, have fallen at that hurdle the past two times.
Group J
Belgium have qualified automatically for the World Cup, thrashing Liechtenstein 7-0 in their final game on Tuesday.
Wales were level on points with second-placed North Macedonia going into their clash on Tuesday, but made easy work of their opponents as they came out 7-1 victors to secure second spot. But because Belgium didn’t slip up against the group minnows, Craig Bellamy’s side go into the play-offs.
Group K
England are through as group winners and Albania have claimed the play-off spot ahead of Serbia, who lost 2-0 at Wembley on Thursday night.
Group L
Croatia became the third European team, after England and France, to book their spot at the World Cup with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over surprise package the Faroe Islands on Friday evening. Czech Republic go into the play-offs.
Americas
Qualifying places available: Six (including three hosts USA, Canada and Mexico), plus two into intercontinental play-offs
Teams already qualified: None through qualifying (USA, Canada and Mexico automatically as co-hosts)
The three group winners, who qualify directly for the World Cup, will be decided over these upcoming two rounds of qualifying matches, as will the trio of group runners-up, with the best two of those reaching the intercontinental play-offs.
Group A
It comes down a straight shoot-out in Group A between Suriname and Panama. Suriname have never qualified for the World Cup and play the already-eliminated Guatemala in their final game, while Panama play El Salvador. Suriname and Panama are level on points but Suriname’s goal difference is +5 to Panama’s +2.
Group B
It’s a big week for Steve McClaren’s Jamaica, but it’s Curacao who are just one win away from qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. The two times play each other in Kingston on Tuesday. Jamaica need to win and the tiny island nation of Curacao need to avoid defeat.
Group C
Honduras, Costa Rica and Haiti all have the chance to qualify going into the final round of games. Honduras are level on points with Haiti, with both teams two points ahead of Costa Rica. But Costa Rica host Honduras so can leapfrog them with a win, but would only qualify if Haiti slipped up against already-eliminated Nicaragua. Honduras have a better goal difference than Haiti so need to better their result. Haiti will be safely through with a win and Costa Rico and Honduras draw.
Africa
Qualifying places available: Nine, plus one into intercontinental play-offs
Teams already qualified: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast
DR Congo stunned Nigeria to win the CAF play-off final, with captain Chancel Mbemba, who scored the winner against Cameroon in the semi-finals, sending them through to March’s inter-continental play-offs.
Asia
Qualifying places available: Eight, plus one into intercontinental play-offs
Teams qualified: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Iraq scored in the 17th minute of stoppage time to down the United Arab Emirates and secure a dramatic 3-2 aggregate play-off win, booking their place in the intercontinental qualifiers.
South America
Qualifying places available: Six, plus one into intercontinental play-offs
Teams qualified: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay
This was completed ages ago. World Cup champions Argentina became the first side to qualify, with Ecuador finishing as surprise runners-up. Brazil went through despite finishing fifth, with Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay also advancing. Bolivia, who finished seventh, will enter the intercontinental play-offs.
Oceania
Qualifying places available: One, plus one into intercontinental play-offs
Teams qualified: New Zealand
New Zealand have been the first benefactors of the expanded tournament, as they have automatically qualified for the 2026 edition via the only place available to Oceanic nations rather than having to go through the intercontinental playoffs as at previous editions. Qualifying has already ended, with New Caledonia having earned a place in the intercontinental play-offs.
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