June 11, 2025 — With the global football community charging toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, several nations have clinched their spots while others are building fierce momentum. Here’s a panoramic update on who’s in—and who could still be on track:
Already Qualified
- Hosts: United States, Mexico, Canada (automatic qualification)
- Europe: Japan and Iran from Asia’s top tiers (already confirmed)
- Africa/Oceania: New Zealand and Iran sealed their places via OFC/CAF routes
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador locked in automatic spots—Brazil celebrated with a 1–0 win over Paraguay, featuring a goal from Vinícius Jr.
- North & Central America: Hosts beyond the US, Mexico, and Canada; no other direct advancements confirmed yet
Debut Nations & Regional Breakthroughs
- Asia (AFC): Uzbekistan and Jordan punched their tickets for a first-ever World Cup appearance! South Korea also officially sealed qualification after defeating Iraq 2–0
- Asia: Australia confirmed its sixth consecutive appearance with a 2–1 victory over Saudi Arabia in an intense qualifier
Who’s Close to Qualification?
- Uruguay: With a 2–0 triumph against Venezuela, they trail just one point off qualification in CONMEBOL—needing a point from their remaining games
- Other South American Spots: Paraguay and Colombia remain on track for qualification in the same region
- Chile: Eliminated after a crushing 2–0 defeat in Bolivia; coach Ricardo Gareca resigned following the loss
What This Means
From the Classics (Brazil, Argentina) to fresh faces (Jordan, Uzbekistan), the 2026 field is already rich in heritage and full of emerging stories. Asia looks particularly thrilling with six confirmed qualifiers, while South America continues to deliver high-stakes drama. Oceania’s direct qualifier, New Zealand, adds its own narrative to the mix.
What to Watch Next
- Spotlight on Uruguay: Will they seal qualification?
- Asia’s final stretch: Who will fill the remaining AFC slots?
- Playoff Preview: Inter-confederation playoffs loom in mid-2026 for teams just missing out.
In summary: The lineup for 2026 is taking shape—historic debuts, consistent powers, and dramatic playoff scenarios. With key fixtures still pending, every match intensifies the global stage ahead of next summer’s grand tournament.
Information from CBS Sports’ “FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: tracking which teams have qualified” and Reuters reports on Brazil & Ecuador, Australia, Uzbekistan & Jordan’s qualification was used in this article.
