FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Jordan, Uzbekistan make history
The road to the 2026 FIFA
World Cup
is heating up, with several nations already clinching their places in what will be the biggest tournament in the event's history. Set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 edition marks a major expansion from 32 to 48 teams, offering more nations the chance to compete on
football
's grandest stage.
Historic Debuts for Jordan and Uzbekistan
Among the most notable developments is the historic qualification of Jordan and Uzbekistan, both of whom will be making their first-ever appearances at a men's World Cup. Uzbekistan secured their spot after a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in the AFC qualifying third round, while Jordan joined them thanks to a strong campaign in the same stage. Their qualification is a testament to the growing competitiveness of Asian football.
South Korea, a regular World Cup participant, also booked their ticket with a decisive 2-0 victory over Iraq, further cementing their status as an Asian powerhouse. Japan and Iran, traditional heavyweights in the region, have likewise secured qualification through the AFC third round.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Who's Already Qualified?
As of June 2025, the following teams have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup:
United States (host)
Canada (host)
Mexico (host)
Argentina (CONMEBOL, reigning champions)
Japan (AFC)
Iran (AFC)
South Korea (AFC)
Uzbekistan (AFC, debut)
Jordan (AFC, debut)
New Zealand (Oceania champions)
Expanded Slots and Global Representation
The expanded format allocates 16 slots to
UEFA
(Europe), 9 to CAF (Africa), 8 to AFC (Asia), 6 each to CONMEBOL (South America) and CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean), and for the first time, 1 guaranteed slot to the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). Two additional spots will be decided via intercontinental playoffs.
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European Heavyweights and Favorites
UEFA's qualifiers are just beginning, with traditional giants like Spain, Germany, England, France,
Portugal
, and Italy expected to feature prominently. Spain, fresh off their 2024 European Championship win, are among the favorites, while England embarks on a new era under manager Thomas Tuchel. France, with Didier Deschamps at the helm for potentially his last tournament, and Portugal, likely fielding Cristiano Ronaldo in his final World Cup, are also strong contenders.
What's Next?
With many spots still up for grabs, especially in Europe and Africa, the coming months promise high-stakes matches and potential upsets. The expanded World Cup is set to deliver unprecedented diversity and opportunity, with new nations like Jordan and Uzbekistan poised to make history on the world stage.
As the countdown to June 11, 2026, continues, fans worldwide are watching closely to see which teams will join the growing list of qualifiers for what promises to be a landmark tournament.
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