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As the world anticipates the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, these four nations and the three co-hosts have already qualified, setting the stage for an exciting tournament across North America.
Fifa World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be the 23rd edition of the tournament.
It marks a historic occasion as it will be jointly hosted by 16 cities across three North American nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico. This marks the first World Cup with three host countries.
A significant change for this tournament is the expansion to 48 participating teams, up from the previous 32.
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The United 2026 bid secured the hosting rights, defeating a rival bid from Morocco at the FIFA Congress in Moscow.
This will be the first World Cup hosted by multiple nations since 2002. Mexico will make history as the first country to host or co-host the men's World Cup for a third time, having done so in 1970 and 1986.
The United States last hosted in 1994, while it will be Canada's debut as a host.
Following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar's November-December scheduling, the 2026 tournament will return to its traditional summer dates.
The 2026 competition will also coincide with the United States' semi-quincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
So, which teams are guaranteed participation in the 2026 global showpiece (as of March 2025)?
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United States (Co-hosts)
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FIFA Ranking: 16th
Confederation: Concacaf
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino
Best World Cup Performance: Third place (1930)
The USMNT have often flattered to deceive on the world stage, having not gone beyond the round of 16 in their last three appearances (2010, 2014, 2022) and unable to match their 2002 quarter-final run.
The United States, who hosted the finals in 1994 when they exited in the first knockout round, aim to thrive this time under experienced manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Mexico (Co-hosts)
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FIFA Ranking: 19th
Confederation: Concacaf
Head coach: Javier Aguirre
Best World Cup Performance: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
Javier Aguirre's Mexico, who qualified as co-hosts, are appearing in their ninth consecutive finals, having last missed out in 1990 due to a ban.
El Tri, hosting the showpiece for the third time (first time as co-hosts), have typically exited in the round of 16, a ceiling they hit for seven consecutive editions before suffering group stage elimination in Qatar.
Canada (Co-hosts)
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FIFA Ranking: 31st
Confederation: Concacaf
Head coach: Jesse Marsch
Best World Cup Performance: Group stage (1986, 2022)
Canada, managed by American Jesse Marsch, have never gone beyond the group stage at the global showpiece in both appearances in 1986 and 2022.
Aiming to surpass that performance in 2026, the co-hosts hope that the comforts of home will serve them well at the 23rd edition of the finals.
Japan
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FIFA Ranking: 15th
Confederation: Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Head coach: Hajime Moriyasu
Best World Cup Performance: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
Japan qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first nation outside of the co-hosts to do so.
Their 2-0 victory over Bahrain on Thursday, March 20, sealed their spot.
Second-half goals from Kamada Daichi and Kubo Takefusa ensured Japan's eighth consecutive World Cup appearance.
With three games remaining in Group C of the Asian qualifiers, the Samurai Blue guaranteed themselves one of the two automatic qualifying positions.
They join co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States in the tournament.
New Zealand
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FIFA Ranking: 89th
Confederation: Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
Head coach: Darren Bazeley
Best World Cup Performance: Group stage (1982, 2010)
New Zealand qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on March 24, 2025, after defeating New Caledonia 3-0.
Michael Boxall, Kosta Barbarouses and Elijah Just scored the goals in Auckland, securing the All Whites' spot.
This victory marks only the third time New Zealand has reached the World Cup, joining the teams from 1982 and 2010.
Darren Bazeley’s men earned the OFC's sole automatic qualification spot for the tournament.
Iran
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FIFA Ranking: 18th
Confederation: Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Head coach: Amir Ghalenoei
Best World Cup Performance: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)
Iran secured their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
They achieved this by drawing 2-2 with Uzbekistan in their Asian qualifying match, with Mehdi Taremi scoring both goals for Iran in the draw, which was enough to secure their place in the finals.
The result made Team Melli the sixth nation to qualify for the tournament and the first from the Middle East region.
However, due to previous US visa restrictions, there are potential concerns regarding travel to the United States for the team and its entourage.
Argentina
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FIFA Ranking: 1st
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Head coach: Lionel Scaloni
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
Argentina secured their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on March 25, 2025, when Bolivia's 0-0 draw with Uruguay guaranteed La Selección a top-six finish in the CONMEBOL qualifying group.
The result meant the World Cup holders qualified even before their highly anticipated match against Brazil.
La Albiceleste then celebrated their qualification with a dominant 4-1 victory over their rivals, Brazil, with Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone scoring for Lionel Scaloni’s team.
Argentina became the fourth nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, joining co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, as well as Japan, New Zealand and Iran.
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