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rabat, Morocco – The Atlas Lions of Morocco have officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding their name to the growing list of confirmed participants. This achievement follows a dominant 5-0 victory against Niger, cementing their position atop Group E in the African qualification stage.
Morocco’s Decisive Victory
Table of Contents
- 1. Morocco’s Decisive Victory
- 2. Current List of Qualified Teams
- 3. The Expanding World Cup: A Historical Outlook
- 4. Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 World Cup
- 5. What is the total number of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup as of September 6, 2025?
- 6. 2026 world Cup Qualification: 17 Teams Secure Their Spot in the Tournament
- 7. Confirmed Qualifiers – A global Snapshot
- 8. CONCACAF Qualification – A New Format
- 9. UEFA Qualification – Established Powers Dominate
- 10. AFC Qualification – A Competitive Landscape
- 11. Remaining Qualification Pathways & Key Dates
- 12. Benefits of the Expanded 48-Team format
- 13. Practical Tips for Following World Cup Qualification
Coach walid regragui’s squad demonstrated overwhelming superiority in their recent match against Niger. The Moroccan team, fueled by a home-field advantage, established a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a brace from midfielder Ismael Saibari. They continued their offensive onslaught in the second half, adding three more goals scored by Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi.
A concurrent 1-1 draw between Niger and Congo further solidified Morocco’s lead in the group, extending their advantage over Tanzania to eight points with only two qualifying rounds remaining. This guaranteed a first-place finish for the North African nation.
Current List of Qualified Teams
With Morocco’s qualification, a total of 17 teams have now secured their spots in the 2026 World cup. The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has been expanded to 48 teams, creating more opportunities for participation from across the globe. Here’s a breakdown of the qualified nations by confederation:
| Confederation | Teams Qualified |
|---|---|
| Host Nations | USA,Mexico,Canada |
| Asia | Australia,Iran,Japan,jordan,South Korea,Uzbekistan |
| South America | Argentina,Brazil,Colombia,Ecuador,Paraguay,Uruguay |
| Oceania | New Zealand |
| Africa | Morocco |
africa is allocated 9.5 slots for the 2026 World Cup, including nine direct qualification spots and one intercontinental playoff position. Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, and Tunisia are currently considered frontrunners to secure the remaining African berths.
Did You Know? The 2026 World cup will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, an increase from the traditional 32-team format.
The Expanding World Cup: A Historical Outlook
The decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, approved by FIFA in 2017, aims to increase global inclusivity and provide opportunities for more nations to compete on the world’s biggest stage.This change is expected to generate notable economic benefits for host nations and participating countries. The expanded format will involve a 32-team group stage followed by a knockout round, offering more competitive matches and increased exposure for smaller footballing nations.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualification process, as it is indeed likely to be fiercely contested with several strong contenders vying for a limited number of spots.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 World Cup
- What is the qualification process for the 2026 world Cup? The qualification process varies by confederation, with each continent having its own set of matches and criteria for determining which teams advance.
- How many teams will participate in the 2026 World Cup? A total of 48 teams will participate, an increase from the previous 32-team format.
- Which countries are hosting the 2026 World Cup? The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United states, Mexico, and Canada.
- What are the benefits of expanding the World Cup? expansion aims to increase global inclusivity, provide more opportunities for nations, and generate economic benefits.
- How many spots does Africa have in the 2026 World Cup? Africa is allocated 9.5 spots, consisting of nine direct qualification places and one intercontinental play-off place.
What are your predictions for which teams will qualify from other confederations? Do you think the expanded format will improve the overall quality of the tournament?
What is the total number of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup as of September 6, 2025?
2026 world Cup Qualification: 17 Teams Secure Their Spot in the Tournament
As of September 6, 2025, the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is heating up. Seventeen nations have already punched their tickets to the expanded 48-team tournament.This article provides a comprehensive overview of the qualified teams, qualification standings across key confederations, and what fans can expect as the remaining spots are contested. We’ll cover World Cup qualifying, 2026 World Cup, qualified teams, and tournament brackets.
Confirmed Qualifiers – A global Snapshot
Hear’s a current list of the teams that have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup:
CONCACAF (North & Central America and Caribbean):
Canada
Mexico
United States
Panama
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
UEFA (Europe):
Spain
England
France
Belgium
Portugal
Scotland
Denmark
AFC (Asia):
Qatar (Host Nation Benefit – tho qualification is still underway)
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
CONCACAF Qualification – A New Format
The CONCACAF qualification process underwent importent changes for the 2026 cycle. The new format, designed to be more inclusive, features a multi-stage process.
Round 1: Involved the lowest-ranked teams,with winners advancing.
Round 2: Featured a group stage format.
Round 3: The final round, a league format, determines the automatic qualifiers.
The united States, Mexico, and Canada benefited from the expanded format, securing their spots relatively early. The rise of teams like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica demonstrates the increasing competitiveness within the region. CONCACAF Nations League performance also played a role in seeding and qualification pathways.
UEFA Qualification – Established Powers Dominate
European qualification has largely followed expected lines, with conventional powerhouses securing their places.The expanded format, however, has allowed for more opportunities for smaller nations to compete.
Group Stage: Teams were divided into groups, with the top teams automatically qualifying.
Playoffs: Teams that finished in playoff positions competed for the remaining spots.
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Denmark all topped their groups, showcasing their continued dominance in European football. Scotland’s qualification is a significant achievement for the nation, marking a return to the FIFA World Cup after a prolonged absence.
AFC Qualification – A Competitive Landscape
Asian qualification is proving to be especially competitive. With a limited number of automatic qualification spots, every match carries immense weight.
Second Round: Teams were paired and played home-and-away ties.
Third Round: The winners advanced to a group stage, with the top two from each group qualifying directly.
Qatar, as the host nation of the 2022 World cup, automatically received a spot, but still participated in qualifying to gain competitive experience. Iraq and Saudi Arabia have secured their places, demonstrating the growing strength of asian football. Asian Cup performance often correlates with success in World Cup qualifying.
Remaining Qualification Pathways & Key Dates
The qualification process is far from over. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in the coming months:
CONMEBOL (South America): Qualification is ongoing, with Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay heavily favored to secure spots.
CAF (Africa): The final round of qualifying will determine the nine African representatives.
OFC (Oceania): A playoff tournament will decide the OFC’s representative.
Inter-Confederation Playoffs: A series of playoffs involving teams from different confederations will determine the final spots.
Key Dates to Watch:
November 2025: CONMEBOL qualification continues.
Early 2026: CAF final round of qualifying.
March 2026: Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
Benefits of the Expanded 48-Team format
The expansion to 48 teams is intended to offer several benefits:
Increased Inclusivity: More nations have the chance to participate in the World Cup.
Global Progress: Provides a platform for developing football nations to grow and improve.
Economic Impact: Increased revenue for FIFA and host nations.
Competitive Balance: Potentially more unpredictable matches and upsets.
Practical Tips for Following World Cup Qualification
FIFA Website: the official FIFA website (https://www.fifa.com/) is the best source for official standings and schedules.
Confederation Websites: Check the websites of CONCACAF, UEFA, AFC, CONMEBOL, CAF, and OFC for detailed information on their respective qualifying processes.
* Sports News Outlets: Reputable sports news sources (ESPN
