The present situation in the Confederations and how 48 teams in the widely world cup of 2026 will emerge

To 48 groups – From 32- increases, as is well known, the composition of the final phase of the World Cup. Something, of course, that will apply from the upcoming organization of 2026, which will be hosted together by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Participating groups will be divided into 12 groups of the four groups. The first two groups of each group and the eight best Tuesdays They will qualify for the knockouts, which are now starting with the ’32’ phase. The maximum number of matches for a team in the World Cup, and increases from seven to eightwhile constant The 56 -day period will remain for the preparation of national teams.

So, as we are in interruption period of championships, since national teams are thrown (other now, others for a long time) at qualifying battle For the World Cup, it is interesting to see with the help of ” Guardian ” the situation in the various confederations and How will these 48 groups eventually emerge. Note – not to confuse them – that in Europe those teams that have obligations in the Nations League (like our National) will later enter the World Cup qualifiers.

AFC

Number of seats: Eight groups plus probably one through the Intercontinental playoffs, from six in 2022

The format In Asia includes five rounds. Initially, 20 lower ranking teams (27–46 in Ranking) were played in double games, followed by 36 in the group stage: the first, that is, 26 of Ranking and the 10, who came from the first round. The “36” teams were divided into nine groups of the four and qualified for the first two. Now, the 18 teams, qualified for the second round, were divided into three groups of six teams and two first of each groupin total eight, qualify directly to the FIFA World Cup. The following rounds have further qualifiers through a new group and playoffs, culminating in the playoffs between confidence. From there it will emerge, If it emergesthe plus of Asia.

What is going on now: With the third round being in progress, the Japan It is on the doorstep to become the first country (except for the hosts), who will qualify for the World Cup through this… endless two -year process for AFC teams. A victory against Bahrain, Saitama, Thursday (20/03), will secure the “ticket” for his team Hatzimas he currently maintains 10 -point lead against the third Indonesia in the 3rd group, with four matches remaining. OR battle For the rest of the qualifiers in the same group, however, he holds well, with Australia being in the second, just a point in front of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China, which are in Quadruple tie!

In the 1st group, the Almase Ali of Qatar is the top scorer in all Confederations with 12 goals And the hosts of 2022 need a victory over North Korea to keep their hopes of direct qualification alive. In the first place of the group has been rounded up Iranwhich will be a breath away if it secures a victory over the United Arab Emirates in Tehran.

OR South Korealed by the 2nd Group, and has the most World Cup in an Asian country (11), can qualify for a victory against Oman and at least a point against Jordan, and both of its games are held at home.

Caf

Number of seats: Nine plus probably one through intercontinental playoffs, from five in 2022

The format In Africa it includes two rounds. Here are simpler things than Asia. First, 53 groups compete in nine groups, with Each group winner to qualify. The four best seconds will fight in the playoffs: two semifinals and one final. The winner of the playoffs qualifies for the Intercontinental playoffs.

What is going on now: OR Egypthaving a four -point lead from 2nd place in 1st group, is Undefeated and with 1.5 foot in the World Cup. In the struggles with Ethiopia and Sierra Leone can end the job. OR Senegal will seek to close the difference between two points and surpriseleading the 2nd group, Sudanin between the race next Saturday (22/03).

OR Nigeria, without wins in the 3rd groupis desperate to qualify, since she was out of 2022. She has toys in front of her, she has to take, against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, under her new coach Eric Tsellethe first African, which is not Nigerian, and sits on the Super Eagles bench.

Morocco is the team with the highest rankings of Africa after its imaginary presence in Qatar and with the absolute in the 5th group it will reasonably have an easy task. As for the champions of Africa, the Ctler Coastthey only have a degree of lead in the 6th group by Gabon.

See here how the rating is formed in nine groups.

Concacaf

Number of seats: 3+3 (hosts) plus probably two through intercontinental playoffs, from four in 2022

The format In North, Central America and the Caribbean as follows: The qualification includes three rounds -the first is a playoff for the four teams with lower ranking. Then 30 teams compete in six groups, with the first two qualifying. The final 12 groups are divided into three groups. The winners of the clubs are directly qualified and the two best runners are entering the playoffs between the confidents.

What is going on now: With the three positions already being ‘Crazy’ by the organizing countries, the competition For the remaining three direct and two opportunities via playoffs are huge. Honduras and Costa Rica perform as expected, already qualifying for the 1st and 2nd group respectively in the second round. However, the strong start for the Dirk Antovokat’s Currywhich is at the top of the 3rd group in the goal difference thanks to Concacaf’s top scorer, Rangelo Yangel (with passes from Cypriot groups), suggests that the course to the World Cup may have some Unexpected twists and very great surprises.

In Concacaf to note that there are no matches during this international break, the next games are in June.

See here how the rating is formed.

Conmebol

Number of seats: Six plus probably one through intercontinental playoffs, from four in 2022

The format In South America never changes, as this remains that exhaustive form of championship. All ten nations of Epirus play with each other at home and away. The first six teams qualify for the World Cup directly, and the seventh is entering the playoffs between the confidents.

What is going on now: With six races left, the Argentinapreceding the five -degree table, has critical clashes with Uruguay and Brazil. THE Lionel Messi It will lose these matches due to injury, but world champions need only seven points from the remaining 18 to secure the qualification.

Uruguay’s Marcelo Bielsaright now, he will face his home country, Argentina, with the aim of maintaining its recent form after a… goal drought At the end of last year, with four matches without finding nets.

Brazil, which is in fifth place and also without the Neymarshe was inconsistent, but hopes she will find her way from here on -And we will have no “bomb”!

Finally, while Chile is still claiming seventh place, Bolivia and Venezuela are a favorite at this stage for the playoffs and each one is looking for a historic appearance in the World Cup: Bolivia’s first since 1994 and the first… in general of Venezuela!

Ofc

Number of seats: One plus probably one through intercontinental playoffs, from zero in 2022

To format of Oceania, in the first of three rounds, four teams with the lowest rankings compete in knockout. The winner is added to the top seven teams of Epirus to two groups And they play once each with each other. The first two of each group qualify for a final knockout roundwhere the winner qualifies directly and the second one gets into the playoffs between the Confederations.

What is going on now: OR historical guaranteed position of the Oceania in the 2026 World Cup will be determined in critical matches now, in this interruption, with New Caledonia facing Tahiti and New Zealand playing with Fiji in the semifinals. New Zealand, favored because of its experience and ranking, was at the top of the 2nd group with absolutewhile New Caledonia led the 1st group with two wins and one draw. … honored Fiji will play without their leader and first scorer of all time, Roy Krishnawho was injured. His team Walu Rob Shermanconsisting of Amateur players, working as police and buildershe has to find a way to deal with the Chris Woodwho has a terrible year with Nottingham Forest.

Uefa

Number of seats: 16 of 13 in 2022

In… ours now, the format In Europe it has not changed dramatically. Fifty -four teams are divided into 12 groups, playing in and out of the way. Group winners qualify directwhile the second round includes 12 runners -up and Four Nations League winnerswho lost the direct qualification. These 16 teams are divided into four playoffs, each with the semifinals and one final, with the four final winners also securing the qualification.

What is going on now: Group phase begins on this international break with Thomas Tuchel to get his first taste as England coachfacing Albania and Latvia. The group phase, which continues By November 2025it has scaled starts, with five teams, such as that of England, starting this month, while the teams of the four teams (like that of our national team), who also participate in the Nations League quarter -finals, start later in September.

Intercontinental playoffs

The last two positions, to reach 48, will be judged through a playoffs between the Confederations, which will take place in one of the organizing countries March 2026. This six -team event will include a team from AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC, along with two teams from Concacaf (the Confederation organizing an additional participation).

The four lowest score teams will compete in two semifinals, while the two highest teams will qualify for the finals directly. The winners of the two semifinals will then face these two teams in the finals and the winners of these two final matches will secure the Two last places in the World Cup 2026.

And if you look too many 48 groups, think that with the Complete 100 years of History of the World Cupin 2030, FIFA is considering increasing them to 64…