The road to the 2026 World Cup has only just begun. With three countries as hosts – the United States, Mexico and Canada – and in the first tournament with up to 48 teams, we take a look at which teams are mathematically qualified for a tournament that will begin on 11 June and end on 19 July 2026. Japan, the first to qualify on sporting merit.

The smell of the World Cup is beginning to be in the air with more than a year to go until the next World Cup, which will take place in 2026 in three different countries: The United States, Mexico and Canada. They are the first to qualify for an event that will have a great novelty.

For the first time since it has been organised, the tournament will have 48 different teams. We are going from 32 in Qatar in 2022 to these 48, which will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top two from each group plus the best 8 third place finishers qualifying for the 1/16 finals. The championship will take place between 11 June and 19 July 2026.

With three teams having qualified for the tournament as hosts, 45 tickets are up for grabs, with 16 going to UEFA, nine to CAF, eight to AFC, six to CONMEBOL, six to CONCACAF and one more to OFC. Japan became the first to qualify on sporting merit on the Asian route.

Argentina, who are close to direct qualification, will defend the title they won in Qatar 2022 with a spectacular final against France, the reigning champions until now.

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