The 2018 world champion officially joined the party. Thursday evening, the French team beat Ukraine (4-0) to ensure its participation in the 2026 World Cup. Didier Deschamps’ squad is the 29th country to qualify for the North American World Cup, but becomes the second European country to validate its presence on the other side of the Atlantic next summer.
England is so far the only representative from the Old Continent to book its place in the tournament which will be held between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Other European countries, such as Portugal or Norway, have the opportunity to join the Blues and the Three Lions on the final day of qualifying which starts on Sunday.
List of countries that passed (29/48):
European Zone (2/12 direct qualifiers)
Africa Zone (9/9 live qualifiers)
- Morocco
- Tunis
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Cape Verde
- Ghana
- South Africa
- Ivory Coast
- Senegal
South American Zone (6/6 direct qualifiers)
- Argentina
- Ecuador
- Colombia
- Uruguay
- Brazil
- Paraguay
Asia Zone (8/8 direct qualifiers)
- Japan
- Iran
- South Korea
- Australia
- Uzbekistan
- Jordan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
North, Central America and Caribbean Zone (3/6 live qualifiers)
Oceania Zone (1/1 direct qualifier)
Apart from France, there are no other selections to complete the list of countries that have qualified this week. On the other hand, some teams have made progress towards their goals. Thus, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo excluded Gabon (4-1) and Cameroon (1-0) respectively from World Cup contention. The “Super Eagles” and Leopards will challenge each other in the African play-off final on Sunday. The winner will reach the intercontinental play-offs.
The United Arab Emirates and Iraq were held to a draw (1-1) in the first leg of round 5 of the Asian qualifiers. In the second leg on Tuesday, the winning team will also earn a place in the intercontinental play-offs.
In the Concacaf zone, it is still undecided. However, the three teams that qualify directly from North, Central America and the Caribbean will be known next Tuesday, after the final day of qualifying. The two countries that have to pass through the dam will also be repaired.
The final representatives from the Africa, South America, Asia, Concacaf and Oceania zones will compete in the playoffs together. The prize: two spots. The final four folding chairs will be distributed at the end of the European zone jump-off.
Intercontinental play-off participant
African Zone
South American zone
Asian zone
- United Arab Emirates or Iraq
North, Central America and Caribbean Zone
- Two states remain to be determined
Oceania Zone
