The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying path is warming up. Some are in. Others are out. And for a select few, the dream is still on the cards.
Brazil Locks It Up with Vinicius Strike
Brazil qualified officially following a tight 1-0 victory over Paraguay in São Paulo. Vinicius Jr scored the solitary goal at halftime, sending the home fans of 46,000 at Corinthians Arena into jubilation.
The victory was Brazil’s first with the newly appointed coach Carlo Ancelotti, and it made them part of the World Cup roster.
They now join Argentina and Ecuador as confirmed South America representatives.
Heartbreak for Palestine
In Amman, Palestine saw their hopes crushed by a 97th-minute penalty. They led Oman through Oday Kharoub’s first-half goal but couldn’t hold on. Essam al-Subhi equalised from the spot, and the 1-1 result knocked Palestine out of contention for the next round.
Palestine has been hosting all of its qualifiers in neutral locations because of the Gaza war. Home grounds are still out of reach. The team was spirited and tenacious, but the goal at the dying minutes squandered their World Cup hope. Oman now takes their place.
Who’s In So Far?
Below is a glance at the teams that have secured their spot at the 2026 tournament:
Asia: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Jordan, Uzbekistan
South America: Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador
Oceania: New Zealand
The North American teams: USA, Canada, Mexico (as co-hosts)
Europe and Africa have not yet confirmed any teams. Their qualifying campaigns run on into late 2025.
Who’s Out?
Chile, a third-place finisher at the 1962 World Cup, will not be in the 2026 tournament. China, hoping to return after a 2002 elimination, also did not qualify.
Who’s Still in the Running?
Some big-time contenders are still in the running:
Asia: Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia
South America: Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia
North America: Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Honduras, and others
Oceania: New Caledonia (bound for intercontinental playoffs)
What’s Next?
March 31, 2026, is when the 48-team final roster will be determined. June 11, 2026, will see the beginning of the tournament in Mexico City, while July 19 will host the final at New Jersey. In the meantime, the war for the remaining tickets continues.
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