48 teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams. Iraq qualified as the last team. This is a new and bigger format for the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be the first time the tournament has included 48 teams. Ten African teams have qualified, setting a record. Scenes of celebration happened in cities like Kinshasa, Baghdad, and Sarajevo as teams secured their places. The tournament will have 104 matches.
Summarized from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
Highlights
World Cup to have 48 teams
The 2026 World Cup will include 48 teams, a record number.
New teams qualify
Six new teams – Iraq, DRC, Bosnia, Sweden, Turkey, and Czech Republic – have qualified.
Record African participation
Ten African teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Expanded tournament format
The 2026 World Cup will have 104 matches due to the 48 teams.
Celebrations after qualification
Teams celebrated their qualification in Kinshasa, Baghdad, and Sarajevo.
Perspectives
- The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams.
- Sixteen European teams will participate in the World Cup.
- The World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- This expansion represents a significant change in the tournament format.
Some sources highlight the record number of African teams qualifying.
France24, France24
Other sources emphasize the overall expansion of the tournament to 48 teams.
ZEIT Online, Le Monde, France24