World Cup 2026: All 48 Teams Confirmed After Final Play-Offs
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FIFA have completed the line-up for World Cup 2026, confirming all 48 national teams after the final round of play-offs. Iraq secured the last available berth, bringing an end to a qualifying campaign that began in September 2023 and concluded on 31 March 2026.
World Cup 2026 Line-Up Finalised
The final qualifying and play-off matches determined the remaining places at the expanded tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July.
The latest teams to qualify include:
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Sweden
- Türkiye
- Czech Republic
- DR Congo
- Iraq
Iraq claimed the final ticket, completing the 48-team field for the first World Cup to feature an expanded format.
Italy Miss Out Again
One of the biggest stories of the play-offs saw Bosnia & Herzegovina defeat Italy on penalties. As a result, Italy will miss the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
The outcome marks another major disappointment for the four-time world champions, who once again fall short at the final hurdle.
Qualifying Campaign in Numbers
The road to World Cup 2026 has been extensive and highly competitive:
- 206 teams took part in the qualifying process
- 898 matches were played
- 2,524 goals were scored
- An average of 2.81 goals per match
Erling Haaland finished as the top scorer in qualifying, netting 16 goals in eight matches for Norway.
New Faces at the 48-Team Tournament
The expanded World Cup 2026 will also feature several debutants, including Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
With 48 teams competing across North America, the 23rd edition of the tournament promises a new era for international football, both in scale and global representation.
[{“question”:”How many teams will play at World Cup 2026?”,”answer”:”World Cup 2026 will feature 48 teams, marking the first time the tournament has been expanded to this format.”},{“question”:”When and where will World Cup 2026 take place?”,”answer”:”The tournament will be held from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.”},{“question”:”Which team secured the final place at World Cup 2026?”,”answer”:”Iraq claimed the final spot after the last round of play-offs.”}]
