LOGIC.co.id – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, excitement builds with the qualifying rounds already underway around the globe. Set to take place across North America, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico as hosts, this upcoming World Cup introduces a new format and increases participation to 48 teams. Here’s an overview of what’s new in the 2026 qualifiers, including the expanded format, key schedule details, and which teams are the favorites.
New Format: 48 Teams for the First Time
For the first time in World Cup history, 48 teams will compete in the final tournament, an increase from the traditional 32-team format. This expanded format means additional qualification slots across various regions, giving more nations the opportunity to reach the world stage.
In the 2026 World Cup, the group stage will feature 16 groups of three teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout round of 32. This structure allows more nations to participate, increasing diversity and competition within the tournament. The qualification slots allocated for each confederation are as follows:
- Europe (UEFA): 16 teams
- Africa (CAF): 9 teams
- Asia (AFC): 8 teams
- North and Central America & Caribbean (CONCACAF): 6 teams (three slots are automatically assigned to the hosts)
- South America (CONMEBOL): 6 teams
- Oceania (OFC): 1 team
- Inter-continental Playoffs: Two additional teams will qualify through a playoff round between confederations.
Qualification Schedule and Key Stages
The qualification rounds began in 2023 and will extend until 2025, covering all six FIFA confederations. Each confederation has its own set of qualifying stages and schedules:
-
Asian Football Confederation (AFC): Asia began its qualification process in October 2023. The initial rounds feature lower-ranked teams, while higher-ranked teams join in later stages. The top teams will advance to the final stages, with eight teams qualifying directly for the World Cup and one additional team competing in an intercontinental playoff.
-
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA): Europe’s qualification rounds begin in March 2025. Teams are split into groups of five or six, with the top team from each group earning a direct ticket to the World Cup. Additional places will be determined through a playoff system.
-
Confederation of African Football (CAF): Africa’s qualifiers began in November 2023, involving 54 teams competing in groups. The winner of each group will qualify directly, while further playoffs will determine the remaining slots.
-
South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL): South America uses a round-robin league format, where each team plays home-and-away matches against all others. The top six teams automatically qualify, and the seventh-place team will compete in the intercontinental playoff.
-
CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and Caribbean): The three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, automatically qualify. Remaining teams in this region compete for additional spots, with the final qualification stages beginning in 2024.
Expanded Opportunities for Asia and Africa
With additional slots in the 2026 tournament, both Asia and Africa see increased opportunities to field more teams, reflecting their rising competitiveness in global football. Traditional powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Iran are expected to qualify easily from Asia, but this expansion opens the door for emerging nations like Vietnam and Uzbekistan to make a World Cup appearance.
In Africa, countries such as Senegal, Morocco, and Nigeria are strong contenders, while nations like Ghana, Egypt, and Cameroon hope to secure a spot in North America. The expanded format allows teams that have historically struggled to qualify a better chance to reach the tournament.
Favorites and Dark Horses Across the Globe
-
Europe: Powerhouses like France, Germany, Spain, and England are expected to make it through their qualification rounds. However, emerging teams such as Norway, led by Erling Haaland, and Hungary could prove formidable.
-
South America: With Brazil and Argentina traditionally dominating, this region is one of the most competitive. Other teams like Uruguay and Colombia also have strong records and are likely to qualify.
-
Africa: Known for producing talented players, the African qualifiers will likely see fierce competition. With a successful track record, Senegal and Morocco could dominate, while rising teams like Algeria look to make an impact.
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers are set to be one of the most exciting and competitive processes in recent memory. The expanded format not only provides more nations a path to the World Cup but also enriches the diversity and global appeal of the tournament. Fans worldwide eagerly await to see which teams will secure their spots and make history at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
