Summary of this article
All the 48 teams confirmed for the FIFA World Cup 2026 edition in the Americas
Gianni Infantino assures Iran will participate in the tournament
Iraq and Congo qualify; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Turkey and Czechia join from Europe
Check all the qualified teams and confirmed groups
The stage is set for this summer's biggest sporting spectacle - the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The remaining 6 spots have been filled up after the final round of the qualifying play-offs that spanned more than two and a half years.
Gianni Infantino Assures Iranian National Team Of Constant Support
Despite all the drama surrounding the smooth conduct of the World Cup due to the on-going unrest in the middle-east, the 48-team tournament is expected to go ahead as planned.
A country that is directly affected by the military warfare in the Gulf, Iran were initially sounded out of the 2026 edition by their Sports Ministry, who remained adamant in not sending the team to play the World Cup in a country that actually sparked the tensions.
Iranian officials had asked FIFA to move their team’s group stage games to Mexico after American President Donald Trump discouraged Team Melli from attending the tournament due to safety concerns.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met the Iranian team on Tuesday and assured them of providing continuous support for their preparation of the showpiece event in June.
Infantino has also assured that Iran will play their scheduled matches as planned in the US, clearing all the doubts around Team Melli's participation.
Iran is expected to play their 2 group-stage games in Inglewood, California, and the remaining one in Seattle.
If Iran actually arrives, then we are set to witness a the biggest FIFA World Cup edition ever, but how were the remaining 6 spots filled and what are the final groups now? Let's dive straight in.
Iraq Enters FIFA World Cup After 4 Decades Of Wait
Iraq edged past Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff final at Monterrey on Wednesday to secure the last 48th spot. This also marked their first FIFA World Cup qualification since 1986.
Ali Al-Hamadi had opened the scoring early and though Moises Paniagua equalized for Bolivia, Aymen Hussein’s clinical 53rd-minute strike proved decisive. Iraq joined Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway.
Italy Miss Out For The 3rd Time In A Row After Losing To Bosnia & Herzegovina
Hours before Iraq sealed their ticket to the Americas, Bosnia and Herzegovina staged a massive upset by crushing 4-time World champions Italy on penalties in the European playoffs.
The result meant Italy was knocked out in qualifying for a third successive World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina have joined Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Sweden, Tukey And Czechia Join From Europe
A total of Eight teams from Europe were competing for four places on the last day of qualifying and Bosnia were joined by Sweden, Turkey and Czechia.
While Sweden defeated Poland 3-2, Turkey edged Kosovo 1-0 and Czechia saw off Denmark on penalties in the respective European playoff finals.
Sweden will play in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. Turkey will be in Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Australia.
After reaching its first World Cup since 2006, the Czech team will play in Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
Congo Seal Their Spot With Iraq In The New Intercontinental Tournament
The new intercontinental tournament staged in Mexico determined the other two remaining places.
The next-to-last nation to advance was Congo, which edged Jamaica 1-0 in extra time at Guadalajara, Mexico.
Congo have been placed alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Confirmed Groups
Group A: Mexico, Czech Republic, South Africa, South Korea
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey
Group E: Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, Ivory Coast
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay
Group I: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq
Group J: Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Colombia, Jamaica, Portugal, Uzbekistan
Group L: Croatia, England, Ghana, Panama
When Does The FIFA World Cup 2026 Begin?
The inaugural 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11 and will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. It will feature 12 groups of four teams.
Mexico will welcome South Africa in the World Cup opener on 12th June at the renovated Estadio Azteca.
