National teams from all over the world are competing for a spot in the most important football tournament in history as the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues. This edition promises more drama, opportunities, and participation from around the world than ever before because the competition has grown from 32 teams to 48 teams and is held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

However, national teams must first earn their place in the global spectacle, and that journey is heating up in every footballing nation.

Brief Overview:

 What’s New for 2026? This World Cup will be the biggest ever, with:

• 48 teams (instead of 32)
• 104 connections
• A format for more group stages
• More spots for each confederation to qualify. Here’s how the spots are distributed:

• UEFA (Europe): 16
• CAF (Africa): 9+1
• AFC (Asia): 8+1
• CONMEBOL (South America): 6+1
• CONCACAF (North/Central America): 6+2 (including hosts USA, Mexico, and Canada)
• OFC (Oceania): 1+1

Underdogs have a better chance than ever before with more spots available, but the path is still full of drama, guts, and glorification.

Qualifiers to Watch in the Future

The qualifying stages on all continents are providing high-stakes matchups throughout October and November. A breakdown of the upcoming events is provided below.

UEFA (Europe): A Battle of Giants

This year’s European qualifiers are no exception. They always promise intense competition.

Future Events to Watch:

• France vs. Azerbaijan: Les Bleus hope to extend their current dominance.
• Germany vs. Luxembourg: Germany is trying to get over a bad run.
• Italy vs Israel: Crucial for both teams in a tight group.
• Spain vs. Turkey: A potential game-changer in one of the groups with the best balance.

Europe has 16 slots, but there is still very little room for error. Even champions from the past may find themselves competing for spots in the playoffs.

AFC (Asia): A New Balance of Power?

The Asian Football Confederation has reached the fourth stage of its qualification process. The region is buzzing with anticipation due to powerful nations like Japan, South Korea, Iran, and Saudi Arabia being in good shape.

Key Matchups:

• Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia: The Saudis must win this difficult away match.
• Qatar vs Oman recently ended in a 0–0 draw, making it harder for both teams to qualify.

Asia has eight automatic spots, and another team will play in an intercontinental playoff. It now feels like a final in every match.

CAF (Africa): Big Names, Big Tension:

Africa has always been a place for passionate football and unexpected surprises. The likes of Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco are leading the charge, but qualification is anything but guaranteed.

Recent Highlight:

• Egypt 3–0 Djibouti: Egypt secured their spot ahead of schedule thanks to two goals from Salah.

Due to the intense competition and the limited number of automatic spots available, even a single error could prove costly for a nation.

CONMEBOL (South America): As ferocious as ever

Ten teams compete in a round-robin format in South America, with six direct spots and one playoff spot available. Heavyweight battles dominate each match.

Important upcoming games:

• Argentina vs. Venezuela: Messi and company hope to secure their spot ahead of time.
• Brazil vs. Chile: A fiery and unpredictable matchup every time

As the traditional giants fight off challengers who are improving quickly, prepare for fireworks.

OFC and CONCACAF: Rising Underdogs

For the first time ever, Oceania is guaranteed to compete in the World Cup. Could this be New Zealand’s chance, or will another island nation surprise us?

The United States, Mexico, and Canada are already qualified to host the event in North America (CONCACAF), but countries like Panama, Jamaica, and Costa Rica are vying for the remaining spots.

Storylines to Watch

• Egypt Holds Early: Salah Shines

With their convincing 3–0 win over Djibouti, Egypt became one of the first African nations to officially qualify.  Salah keeps proving that he is more than just a Premier League star; he is also a national hero.

• Asia’s fourth round becomes more tactical:

Oman and Qatar’s goalless draw has left Group B wide open. Asian qualifiers are delivering both narrative and quality despite the fact that neutral venues and political tensions are making things more complicated.

The playoffs will be brutal

Many teams that finished in second place will get another chance to make it through the playoffs because of the expanded format. This gives teams that were once thought to be out of the running hope again and raises the stakes for everyone involved.

How to Watch

Major global networks are broadcasting FIFA World Cup qualifiers:

• Europe: UEFA.tv, ESPN+, Sky Sports
• Asia: beIN Sports, Star Sports, SonyLIV
• Africa: SuperSport
• South America: TyC Sports, Globo
• North America: FS1, TUDN, Paramount+

You can also, of course, follow real-time updates on platforms like Sofascore, Flashscore, and OneFootball or the FIFA+ app and SPN

Concluding Thoughts

There are already a lot of high stakes, thrilling surprises, and memorable moments on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Every fan has a reason to keep an eye on the game, from global giants like Brazil to fierce challengers like Lebanon and Burkina Faso.

The only assurance? The beautiful game never lets you down.

Experience the journey. Embrace the passion. Be part of history.