16 Nations Secure Spots for 2026 FIFA World Cup

A total of 16 countries have so far sealed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay confirmed their places on Thursday after the penultimate round of qualifying matches in the South American zone.

Uruguay and Colombia both recorded emphatic 3-0 victories in their fixtures, while Paraguay held on to a goalless draw that proved enough to guarantee their ticket to the tournament. The trio will now join Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador, who had already secured qualification earlier from the continent.

The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be historic as it expands to 48 participating teams, the highest in the tournament’s history. It will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, who all earned automatic slots as co-host nations.

Beyond South America, several other countries have already booked their places. These include Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, and Australia, adding to the growing list of confirmed participants.

In total, 43 countries will qualify through their respective continental tournaments, while the final two spots will be determined through intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026. The playoffs will feature six teams vying for the last tickets to the prestigious competition.