Italy’s elimination in Route A continues to be the most significant results of the entire qualifying campaign. They conceded just at the time within their semi-final rout of Northern Ireland, only to get rid of in a very penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina — their second consecutive World Cup absence soon after missing Russia 2018 in addition.
Group Evaluation: Brazil and Morocco are in a class of their own individual. Scotland close a 28-yr World Cup absence and may relish each individual minute. Haiti’s fifty one-year hold out finishes — their passionate supporters will follow them wherever they Participate in.
3rd round: The eighteen groups that Innovative from the second spherical had been divided into a few groups of 6 groups to Engage in house-and-absent round-robin matches.
Team G is considered the most aggressive team on the Match on paper — Germany, Netherlands, and Japan have all gained or achieved the final of a World Cup. Statistically, aim big difference may possibly choose which two advance and no matter if Japan can sneak by as a 3rd-area finisher.
The winners of All those matches Sophisticated to Engage in the best two teams in a further round of solitary-elimination matches, and the winners competent with the World Cup. The play-offs have been held in March 2026 in Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico.[seventy five]
Bolivia’s Playoff Hope: Bolivia finished seventh and may contend inside the inter-confederation playoffs. Their residence benefit at altitude proved decisive in a number of matches.
The qualification procedure involved 5 rounds; the main two also serving as qualification with the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The very best 6 groups from that last desk certified mechanically; seventh location went to your intercontinental play-off.
Haiti’s CONCACAF route implies they’re unproven at this level, but compact defending can keep scores restricted in early team online games.
A double round-robin (or "league") structure through which Every single crew in a group performed all other teams in their team two times – click here once at home and at the time away.
Here's each of the key facts within the schedule with the 2026 football World Cup, which includes dates, kick-off times along with the teams.
With this new expanded World Cup format — The 1st time in historical past there happen to be forty eight teams — the highest two teams in Just about every group qualify with the Round of 32 knockout phase immediately, though the eight-most effective third-position groups will be a part of them in the last 32.
The FIFA Club World Cup — the expanded 32-team edition held in The us in June–July 2025 — ran promptly before this countrywide staff tournament and used various of precisely the same venues. Teams were being divided into eight groups of four, Using the top rated two advancing into a Round of 16.
The 2026 World Cup marked the first time OFC was granted 1 assured slot, as well as a feasible second slot via the inter-confederation play-offs.