FLASH
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Within six days, 48 matches will be played in 12 UEFA groups, with national teams fighting their "battle" for a place in the final stage.
From Europe, only England has already secured a place in the 2026 World Cup finals, while 11 other countries will seal their ticket in the coming days.
The top spot in 11 of the 12 groups remains up for grabs, with the big powers in contention. Among them, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland could secure qualification in their first match.
The danger for Italy and Germany
Italy and to a lesser extent Germany are the two main teams that are still in a marginal position. France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia can “finish the job” with a win in their first matches. In fact, “Hrvatska” only needs a point against the Faroe Islands to “fly” to North America.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, who has already announced that the 2026 World Cup will be the last of his career, qualify with a win on Thursday against Ireland, while a draw could also qualify, as long as Hungary does not beat Armenia.
Also on Thursday, France hosts Ukraine in Paris, the Netherlands travels to Poland, while Belgium is tested in Kazakhstan. If they fail, they will have a second chance a few days later.
Spain, the European champions, can "lock" their qualification as early as Saturday in Georgia, provided that Turkey does not defeat Bulgaria. Otherwise, everything will be decided in the "final" Spain - Turkey in Seville.
Lastly, Germany wants a win over Luxembourg and at the same time a setback for Northern Ireland against Slovakia to secure at least a place in the knockout stage, where anything can happen.
The 12 UEFA group winners qualify directly for the World Cup. The four remaining European places will be determined through a mini-playoff tournament, with 16 teams, the 12 runners-up from each group and the four winners of the Nations League groups.
The matches will take place in March 2026, with semi-finals and a single-leg final to determine the four finalists.
Who has already qualified?
A total of 28 countries have secured their participation in the 2026 World Cup:
Host countries: Canada, Mexico, USA
Asia (AFC): Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Africa (CAF): Cape Verde, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa
South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
Oceania (OFC): New Zealand
Europe (UEFA): England
Qualifying positions by continent
UEFA (Europe): 16 direct places
CONMEBOL (South America): 6 direct matches + 1 place in the Play-Offs
CONCACAF (North and South America): 6 direct matches (3 + 3 for home teams) + 2 Play-Off matches
CAF (Africa): 9 direct matches + 1 Play-Off match
AFC (Asia): 8 direct matches + 1 Play-Off match
OFC (Oceania): 1 direct + 1 Play-Off match
Draws and program
The draw for the final phase will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the US national cultural center and "living memorial" to John F. Kennedy.
The process will begin at 12:00 local time, with the public participating through a special draw from the 16 host cities (11 in the US, 3 in Mexico, 2 in Canada).
By then, 42 of the 48 teams will have been announced, with the final six emerging through global playoffs in March 2026.
The playoff draw will take place in Zurich on Thursday, November 20 (2:00 p.m.), determining the "paths" for the final 22 places that will fight for the six remaining tickets.
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the first in history with 48 teams, more action and global interest.
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