International qualifiers are not just about a game of football, they’re a key point of national pride. Every match has massive significance for the teams and their fans, with a place at the next World Cup at stake. Navigating differing climates and time zones is a challenge for even the most seasoned squads, while tactical adaptability and mental fortitude become critical. This road to the global stage requires rigorous preparation and a strong support network to ensure success.
With less than a year to go until the 2026 edition of the tournament, some spots are already secured but qualifying is a marathon, and there’s much more to come. With the tournament line-up set to include 48 nations, here’s how things stand across the globe.
In Africa, the first round is currently underway and the nine group winners qualify for the World Cup. The top two in each group also qualify for a continental inter-confederation play-off. Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt and Tunisia have the best records through six of 10 matchdays in their first round groups. The remaining second-place finishers enter a knockout tournament in November where the top two qualify for the World Cup while the other two teams will compete in an inter-confederation play-off. Tiebreakers in the knockout phase are based on FIFA World Ranking, head-to-head comparison and goal difference. Typically matches are played over two legs but when necessary, extra time and penalties may be used. In cases where a team cannot host the tie, a neutral venue will be chosen.