The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking shape as 16 countries have now sealed qualification for the expanded global football event.
On Thursday, Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay became the latest teams from South America to secure their places after decisive results in the second-to-last round of the World Cup qualifiers.
Uruguay and Colombia both celebrated emphatic 3-0 victories, while Paraguay’s goalless draw was enough to guarantee their ticket.
They join regional giants, Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador, who had already booked their spots earlier in the campaign.
The 2026 tournament promises to be historic, featuring a record 48 teams for the first time. It will also be the first World Cup jointly hosted by three nations, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, all of whom qualify automatically as hosts.
Beyond South America, Asia and Oceania have also produced early qualifiers. Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and New Zealand have already confirmed their participation.
In total, 43 nations will qualify directly through their continental campaigns. The final two places will be determined in March 2026 via intercontinental playoffs, where six teams will compete for the last World Cup berths.
Note that Uruguay’s return ensures the presence of the very first World Cup winners from 1930, while debutants such as Jordan highlight the growing global spread of the game.
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