The field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now set after the conclusion of the final intercontinental playoff matches in March 2026. Six nations—Palestine, Ukraine, Ghana, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Jordan—secured the last available spots, bringing the total number of qualified teams to 48.
The 2026 tournament, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format. The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with the final set for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
The qualification process, which began in 2023, involved over 200 national teams from FIFA's six continental confederations. The expanded format has allowed a record number of nations, including first-time participants Palestine, to compete on football's biggest stage.
The tournament will be played across 16 host cities in the three North American nations. The draw to determine the group stage fixtures is expected to take place later in 2026, following the conclusion of all continental competitions.
