World Cup 2026 Qualification Round-Up: Who's Through, Who's Out, Who's Fighting

As the qualification rounds for the 2026 World Cup reach their conclusion, a total of 32 teams have secured their spots in the Round of 32. Meanwhile, 13 teams have been eliminated from contention, leaving a further 12 teams still uncertain about their qualification status. Each group's final standings will determine the remaining slots as teams vie for a place in the tournament.

Among the teams that have confirmed their qualification are Mexico (9 points), South Africa (4 points), Switzerland (7 points), Canada (4 points), Bosnia & Herzegovina (4 points), Brazil (7 points), Morocco (7 points), USA (6 points), Australia (4 points), Paraguay (4 points), Germany (6 points), Ivory Coast (6 points), Ecuador (4 points), Netherlands (7 points), Japan (5 points), Sweden (4 points), Belgium (5 points), Egypt (5 points), Spain (7 points), Cape Verde Islands (3 points), France (9 points), Norway (6 points), Senegal (3 points), Argentina (9 points), Austria (4 points), Algeria (4 points), Colombia (7 points), Portugal (5 points), Congo DR (4 points), England (7 points), Croatia (6 points), and Ghana (4 points).

The closest qualification races are in Group G and Group J, where several teams ended up with tight point differentials. Group J features Austria, Algeria, and themselves sitting at 4 points each, indicating a competitive threshold for advancement. In Group G, Belgium and Egypt each hold 5 points, only slightly ahead of eliminated teams. Meanwhile, Groups I and H also show potential for closer races, with teams like Senegal with 3 points needing to secure significant wins to enhance their standing.

As the qualification rounds draw to a close, several notable teams have been eliminated, including South Korea (3 points), Czechia (1 point), Qatar (1 point), Haiti (0 points), Tunisia (0 points), Iran (3 points), New Zealand (1 point), Uruguay (2 points), Saudi Arabia (2 points), and Iraq (0 points). Each of these teams has concluded their matches without enough points to continue, marking their exit from the tournament.

In terms of forthcoming matches, there are no remaining fixtures to decide qualification as all groups have played their last matches. Each group's final standings have been established, solidifying the playoff landscape for the World Cup. Teams can now focus on preparations for the tournament itself, where they will seek to make an impact on the global stage.