Home / Sports / World Cup 2026 Draw Looms: 42 Teams In, 16 Fight for Last Spots
World Cup 2026 Draw Looms: 42 Teams In, 16 Fight for Last Spots
20 Nov
Summary
- The 2026 World Cup draw is on December 5 in Washington D.C.
- 42 national teams have already secured their place in the tournament.
- 16 teams will compete in playoffs for the remaining four World Cup spots.
The stage is set for the 2026 World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5 in Washington D.C. With the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, these three nations automatically secure their places. So far, 42 teams have clinched their spots through continental qualifiers, leaving 16 nations to compete for the remaining four berths.
These final four spots will be determined through intense playoffs involving 16 European teams. The lineup comprises 12 group runners-up and four teams qualifying via the UEFA Nations League. These teams will be placed into four playoff paths, each featuring semifinals and a final, all played in a single-match format.
The playoff semifinals are set for March 26, with finals concluding on March 31. The draw will meticulously organize these playoff paths, seeding teams based on FIFA rankings. The winners of these paths will earn the final tickets to the 2026 World Cup, completing the tournament field.
