Race to 48: List of 21 Countries Qualified for 2026 FIFA World Cup, Featuring Ghana's Late Win

October 13, 2025 | 06:53 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Africa has added another representative to the 2026 World Cup roster. The Ghana National Team secured its spot after a narrow 1-0 victory over Comoros in the final match of the Africa Zone I Qualification Group at Accra Stadium on the early morning of October 13, 2025 (Jakarta time).

The decisive goal was scored by Tottenham player Mohammed Kudus early in the second half, sparking great euphoria among the home supporters. The 47th-minute strike secured The Black Stars' fifth qualification to the final tournament.

With this victory, Ghana concluded the qualification round with 25 points from 10 matches, leading second-place Madagascar (19 points) by six points. Mali finished third with 18 points.

Ghana becomes the fifth African team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The other four nations that have already advanced are Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria. Africa has nine direct slots and one playoff ticket.

The 48-Team Field: Who's In?

The 2026 World Cup will utilize a new format, increasing the number of participants from 32 to 48. Ghana's victory makes them the 21st participant to qualify. In the coming weeks, several other countries, including the first representatives from Europe, will have the opportunity to secure their places. The Indonesian National Team has been confirmed as having failed to qualify.

The tournament will commence on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca, Mexico, with the final set for MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. The group draw is scheduled for December 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Here is the full breakdown of qualified teams and remaining slots by confederation:

List of Countries Qualified for the 2026 World Cup Thus Far

Host (CONCACAF)

Slots: 3 (Direct)

As joint hosts, these three nations from CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) are automatically qualified:

• United States

• Canada

• Mexico

Asia Zone (AFC)

Slots: 8 (Direct) + 1 (Playoff)

Teams Already Qualified (6):

• Australia

• Iran

• Japan

• Jordan

• South Korea

• Uzbekistan

Two direct slots remain and will be contested in the fourth round. In the previous phase, the Indonesian National Team competed with Saudi Arabia and Iraq for a ticket, losing the first match 2-3 to Saudi Arabia.

South America Zone (CONMEBOL)

Slots: 6 (Direct) + 1 (Playoff)

Teams Already Qualified (6):

List of countries already qualified:

• Argentina

• Brazil

• Ecuador

• Colombia

• Paraguay

• Uruguay

The intercontinental playoff ticket will be contested by Bolivia and Venezuela in the remaining two matches.

The intercontinental playoff ticket will be contested by Bolivia and Venezuela in the remaining two matches.

Oceania Zone (OFC)

Slots: 1 (Direct) + 1 (Playoff)

Teams Already Qualified (1):

• New Zealand

For the first time, OFC has been given one direct slot. New Caledonia will advance to the inter-confederation playoff. Previously, Oceania relied solely on playoffs.

Africa Zone (CAF)

Slots: 9 (Direct) + 1 (Playoff)

Teams Already Qualified (5):

• Morocco

• Egypt

• Tunisia

• Algeria

• Ghana

North, Central America, and the Caribbean Zone (CONCACAF)

Slots: 4 (Direct) + 1 (Playoff)

Teams already qualified (3):

Only the three host teams listed above are officially confirmed at this time. Three additional direct slots plus one playoff ticket are still contested in the qualification tournament.

Europe Zone (UEFA)

Slots: 16 (Direct)

European qualifications began in March 2025 and will conclude in November 2025, followed by playoffs in March 2026. Currently, no teams have qualified.

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