A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Uruguay had a 3-0 win over Peru, Colombia defeated Bolivia 3-0 and Paraguay held Ecuador to 0-0 to secure their places Thursday from South American qualifying.
Forty-three teams will get their spots through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. The three host countries automatically qualify.
The breakdown
Asia will have eight direct places and one in the intercontinental playoff.
Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff.
North and Central America and the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs.
South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs.
Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs.
Europe will have 16 teams sure to play in the next World Cup.
Already qualified
United States, Mexico, Canada (qualified automatically as hosts)
Asia
Japan (qualified on March 20)
Iran (qualified on March 25)
Jordan (qualified on June 5)
South Korea (qualified on June 5)
Uzbekistan (qualified on June 5)
Australia (qualified on June 10)
Oceania
New Zealand (qualified on March 24)
South America
Argentina (qualified on March 25)
Brazil (qualified on June 10)
Ecuador (qualified on June 10)
Uruguay (qualified on Sept. 4)
Colombia (qualified on Sept. 4)
Paraguay (qualified on Sept. 4)
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
The Associated Press
