Guessing the Next 14 Teams to Qualify for the 2026 World Cup

PARIS, WEDNESDAY — A total of 28 teams have confirmed their participation in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June to July next year. In the international matches from November 13 to 18, as many as 14 teams will secure their places in the biggest football stage next year. There will be 42 teams participating in the group stage draw in Las Vegas, United States, on December 5.

The 14 teams that will qualify for the 2026 World Cup this month include 11 UEFA (European) ambassador teams and three North and Central American (CONCACAF) teams. The remaining six spots in the 2026 World Cup will be determined by the four UEFA playoff winners and the two interconfederation playoff winners. The playoffs will be held in March 2026.

Specifically for the European zone, England is the first team to qualify for next year's North American tournament. The "Three Lions" squad was unbeaten in their six matches in Group K. They won all six matches and remained undefeated in their matches against Albania, Serbia, Latvia, and Andorra. England's qualification means Albania and Serbia will battle for a place in the playoffs.

Four teams have a strong chance of following in England's footsteps on Thursday (13/11/2025) or Friday (14/11/2025) WIB. They are France, Portugal, Belgium, and Croatia.

France will host Ukraine at Parc des Princes, Paris. The two teams are currently at the top of Group D in the UEFA qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup. France leads by three points over Ukraine. Consequently, a victory will assist France in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Didier Deschamps' squad will be present with full strength. Kylian Mbappe will once again lead his teammates in pursuit of their second World Cup trophy. In the last match against Iceland, Deschamps rotated the squad by relying on Jean-Philippe Mateta as the spearhead.

Manu Kone, the French midfielder, considers the match against Ukraine to be a crucial game for "Les Bleus." Although favored to win, Kone emphasizes that the French squad does not underestimate Ukraine in the slightest.

"We have to stay humble, and I'm sure we'll give it our all. Our goal is to qualify as soon as possible. We understand the importance of securing a spot (at the World Cup) on Thursday (early Friday WIB)," said AS Roma player Kone, as reported by L'Equipe on Wednesday (November 12, 2025).

At the same time as the battle in Paris, Portugal will attempt to bring home three points from the home ground of Ireland, Aviva Stadium in Dublin. With the addition of three points, the "Selecao das Quinas" will accumulate 13 points from five matches.

The collection of points can no longer be pursued by Hungary in second place. Hungary can collect a maximum of 11 points with two matches remaining this month.

However, Portugal has never won in their visits to Dublin for official matches. The last time Portugal visited Dublin was during the qualification for the 2022 World Cup in November 2021. The match ended in a goalless draw.

"We conceded in the last minute against Hungary. We hope to provide an appropriate response to ensure our progression to the World Cup. Let's win and end the curse (in Dublin)," said Portugal's right-back, Joao Cancelo, as reported by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) website.

Belgium will visit Kazakhstan's home ground on Saturday (15/11/2025). Three points from the Astana Arena will help Belgium secure participation in the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time.

Croatia is also just three points away from the 2026 World Cup. They can secure a spot in the main round if they defeat the Faroe Islands at the Rejuvica Stadium in Rijeka tomorrow.

Meanwhile, seven other European representatives for the 2026 World Cup are highly likely to be confirmed in the final match next week. This is due to the competition in the other nine groups still being very open for changes in the leading teams that will qualify directly for the biggest football stage.

In Group A, Germany and Slovakia have equal points. The battle between the two teams in the final match in Leipzig, Tuesday (18/11/2025 WIB), will determine the team that secures the first position in the final standings.

A similar situation could also occur with Switzerland and Kosovo in Group B, Denmark and Scotland in Group C, Spain and Turkey in Group E, Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group H, as well as Norway and Italy in Group I.

Intense competition will be presented in Group G. Poland, currently in second place with 13 points, will host the Netherlands (16 points) in Warsaw. If they can defeat the Netherlands, Poland will keep the competition open until the final match.

For the three slots in the CONCACAF zone, Honduras, competing in Group C, has the greatest chance of being the first team to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Honduras can qualify by defeating Nicaragua, while in another match, Haiti against Costa Rica, ends in a draw.

If that scenario does not unfold or if Costa Rica is able to defeat Haiti, then the match between Honduras and Costa Rica on Wednesday (19/11/2025) will be the final for both teams.

In Group A, Suriname and Panama both collected six points. Their situation is not yet secure as Guatemala, sitting in third place with five points, still has a chance to qualify.

Similarly in Group B. The competition between Jamaica and Curacao for the top position is still very much open. The duel between the two teams next Wednesday will determine one representative from CONCACAF from that group.