Sports Desk:

Portugal and Norway secured their places at the 2026 World Cup on Monday, a result that shifts attention to who will join them when the final qualifiers take place in November.

A total of 32 nations are now assured of their spots, including England, Croatia, France, holders Argentina and first time qualifiers Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan. Sixteen places remain open, most of them in Europe, where the qualification race reaches its climax this week.

Three winner takes all matches will decide further European berths. Germany face Slovakia on Monday, while Scotland host Denmark and Austria meet Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. Wales still have a narrow chance of finishing top of Group J, although that would require a win over North Macedonia combined with an unlikely Belgium defeat at home to Liechtenstein. Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain require only routine results to make their qualification mathematically certain.

Elsewhere, the three joint hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States have already been granted automatic entry. Asia’s process has confirmed eight qualifiers, while Oceania’s single direct place has gone to New Zealand. Africa’s nine automatic berths have been filled, and South America’s six direct slots have all been taken as well.

Bolivia, New Caledonia and DR Congo are among the six nations who will enter March’s inter confederation play offs, which will determine the final two World Cup places.

TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP

Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States

Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan

Europe: Croatia, England, France, Norway, Portugal

OCEANIA: NEW ZEALAND

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

EUROPE

Europe has 16 qualification places. Five teams are already through, with Germany or Slovakia, Switzerland or Kosovo, Denmark or Scotland, Spain or Turkey and the Netherlands or Poland guaranteed at least a play off berth through their group performance. Austria or Bosnia and Herzegovina will also be in that category, while Italy and the Republic of Ireland are certain to reach the play offs.

Twelve group winners will qualify automatically. The 12 runners up will join the four highest ranked Nations League group winners who have not yet qualified in a March play off for four further places. Europe is the only confederation without a path to the inter confederation play offs.

Scotland must beat Denmark to take top spot in their group. Belgium will confirm qualification by defeating Liechtenstein, who are yet to score in Group J. Wales and North Macedonia appear to be contesting second place. The Netherlands need only a point at home to Lithuania, although even defeat would require an extreme swing for Poland to overtake them. Austria will reach the finals with victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina or with a draw. Spain are three points clear of Turkey with a superior goal difference and are effectively assured of progressing. Germany require a point against Slovakia, while Switzerland need only a draw with Kosovo.

SOUTH AMERICA

South America offers six automatic places with one more into the inter confederation play offs. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay have all secured qualification. With the group stage completed, Bolivia sealed the play off place by beating already qualified Brazil 1-0 on the final matchday.

ASIA

Asia has eight direct places and one play off spot. Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan advanced by finishing in the top two of their third round groups. The remaining potential qualifier will emerge from a November play off between UAE and Iraq, who are level after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

AFRICA

Africa’s nine direct places have been taken by Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia. The best four runners up contested a November play off, with DR Congo defeating Nigeria to earn a place in March’s inter confederation play offs.

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

Concacaf has six World Cup slots, three of which have already gone to the co hosts. Twelve nations are competing for the remaining three automatic places in a third round that began this month. Suriname, Curacao and Honduras top the groups with one round left. The two best runners up will advance to the inter confederation play offs.

OCEANIA

Oceania’s process has concluded. New Zealand qualified by defeating New Caledonia 3-0 in the final. New Caledonia will join the inter confederation play offs in March, where six teams from four confederations will compete for two remaining World Cup spots.