Who can qualify for the World Cup this week? England, Nigeria, France among teams who can punch ticket for 2026 FIFA finals

For some nations, qualification to the FIFA World Cup every four years is a baseline expectation of the fanbase.

Other countries, however, will be thrilled to find themselves in the field every four years — or at all.

The opportunity is better than ever to make that happen as the 2026 World Cup will be the first in history expanded all the way to 48 participants at the final tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Sporting News walks you through who has already been confirmed to participate at next summer's showcase, and who could clinch a place soon with many spots still up for grabs.

A reminder: a reference to a "magic number" means any combination of points gained by the team in question, or points dropped by the side directly below them, would secure a place at the finals.

MORE: How the 2026 World Cup draw will work and who is sorted into which pot

Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?

JUMP TO: Europe | Africa | North and Central America | Asia | Teams already qualified

Here, The Sporting News breaks down how the qualification picture looks across the different federations. Already having qualified for the World Cup this international break are Algeria, Ghana, and Cape Verde.

Some, like CONCACAF, have concluded their qualifying phases. Others, such as UEFA, have plenty at stake.

UEFA

The following European nations are in a position to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the October international break, with a specific set of results required.

They are listed in estimated order of perceived likelihood by which the required results will come to pass.

England

England will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• England defeat Latvia

England are on the doorstep of World Cup qualification. If they defeat Latvia, they will punch their ticket.

That's because Serbia lost 1-0 at home to neighbours Albania, putting their own playoff hopes in peril.

Portugal

Portugal will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Portugal defeat Hungary

Victory for Portugal over Hungary will seal qualification They claimed a dramatic injury-time win over Ireland, and because Armenia went down to a 2-0 defeat against the Magyars, Roberto Martinez's team are almost there.

Switzerland

Switzerland will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Switzerland defeat Slovenia

Switzerland's 2-0 win over Sweden, combined with Kosovo's 0-0 draw with Slovenia, means Murat Yakin's team will qualify with a victory over Slovenia on October 13.

Norway

Norway will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Italy drop any points vs. Israel

Norway's 5-0 win over Israel means they will be confirmed as qualified for the first time since 1998 if Italy fail to beat the same opponent. The Azzurri were 3-1 winners over Estonia, so Norway are not there yet.

France

Les Bleus failed to secure a place in the October international window after drawing Iceland, and must wrap up business in November.

France will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• France def. Ukraine, OR...
• France draw Ukraine AND France draw or beat Azerbaijan, OR...
• France lose to Ukraine, AND...
  • France def. Azerbaijan, AND maintain five-goal differential lead over Ukraine, OR...
  • France draw Azerbaijan, AND Iceland def. Ukraine
  • France lose to Azerbaijan, AND Iceland def. Ukraine, AND France maintain five-goal differential lead over Ukraine

France still lead Group D, and would officially claim a place by beating Ukraine to begin the November international window. Short of that, there are still plenty of pathways available to remaining in the top spot in the group.

The worst France can do mathematically is second in the group.

CAF

The following African nations are in a position to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the October international break, with a specific set of results required.

They are listed in estimated order of perceived likelihood by which the required results will come to pass.

Senegal

Senegal will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Senegal defeat Mauritania
• Senegal vs. Mauritania is a draw AND Congo DR do not beat Sudan by eight+ goals, OR...
• Congo DR do not beat Sudan

Like Ghana, Senegal just need to take care of business themselves at this stage. Avoid defeat to Mauritania, and qualification is assured.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Ivory Coast defeat Kenya, OR...
• That game is a draw AND Gabon do not beat Burundi, OR...
• Gabon lose to Burundi, OR...
• Gabon draw with Burundi AND Ivory Coast do not lose to Kenya by 11 goals or more

Gabon's battling win over The Gambia on Friday meant Ivory Coast's 7-0 thrashing of Seychelles was not quite enough. Still, the Elephants have things firmly in their own hands.

Benin

Benin will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Benin beat Nigeria, OR...
• Benin draw with Nigeria AND South Africa fail to defeat Rwanda by a margin of 3+ goals, OR...
• South Africa win by a two-goal margin AND Benin vs. Nigeria is a draw AND Benin score more than South Africa, OR...
• South Africa do not beat Rwanda AND Benin lose to Nigeria by one goal, as long as the scoreline is not 1-0 or 2-1

Group C is the most fascinating ahead of the final matchday, with three teams still in the running. Benin are in the strongest position as they know they will qualify by beating Nigeria. Any other result, and things get more complicated.

South Africa

South Africa will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• South Africa beat Rwanda AND Benin lose to Nigeria, OR...
• Benin vs. Nigeria is a draw AND South Africa win by 3+ goals, OR...
• Benin vs. Nigeria is a draw AND South Africa win by 2+ goals AND they score more than Benin

South Africa lost top spot in the group after being effectively docked points for fielding an ineligible player, and their draw with Zimbabwe on matchday nine handed Benin a real boost. Now, Bafana Bafana need to beat Rwanda and hope for a favour from Nigeria.

Gabon

Gabon will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Gabon defeat Burundi AND Ivory Coast do not defeat Kenya, OR...
• Gabon vs. Burundi ends in a draw AND Kenya defeat Ivory Coast by a margin of 12 or more goals

Gabon basically need Kenya to beat Ivory Coast if they are to have any chance of snatching an automatic qualifying spot.

Congo DR

Congo DR will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Congo DR beat Sudan AND Mauritania defeat Senegal, OR...
• Senegal vs. Mauritania is a draw AND Congo DR beat Sudan by eight goals or more

Anything other than a Mauritania win against Senegal will almost certainly mean Congo DR cannot qualify automatically. Even then, they must ensure they defeat Sudan to have any chance.

Nigeria

Nigeria will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• Nigeria beat Benin 1-0 or by 2+ goals AND South Africa do not beat Rwanda

Nigeria are somehow still alive in qualification, but their hopes are hanging by a thread. They must beat Benin in such a way that their opponents do not end up with a better goals-scored column, and they also need a favour from Rwanda against South Africa.

AFC

Japan, Iran, South Korea, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Australia are the confirmed qualifiers from the Asian section. The remaining three teams to go through are decided by the fourth-round group stage.

The following African nations are in a position to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the October international break, with a specific set of results required.

They are listed in estimated order of perceived likelihood by which the required results will come to pass.

UAE

UAE will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• They are not defeated by Qatar

UAE edged a valuable 2-1 win over Oman, who had previously drawn with Qatar. That means UAE will qualify if they avoid losing in Doha on October 14.

Qatar

Qatar will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• They beat UAE

Qatar must beat UAE to snatch top spot in Group A. Given they lost two games against the same opponents 3-1 and 5-0 a year ago, the odds are against them.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• They are not defeated by Iraq

Saudi Arabia and Iraq both beat Indonesia in Group B, ending the latter's chances of qualifying. Saudi Arabia need only avoid defeat on October 14 to claim top spot in the standings.

Iraq

Iraq will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if:

• They beat Saudi Arabia

Iraq are in the same boat as Qatar: they must win their next game to overhaul their group leaders and qualify for the World Cup.

CONCACAF

There was a chance for Honduras and Jamaica to secure qualification in this window, but since neither team won their opening games of the month — Honduras drew with Costa Rica, and Jamaica lost to Curacao — it means no CONCACAF nations can now qualify until November.

As a reminder, USA, Canada and Mexico automatically qualified as host nations.

Teams already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Places still to be determined at the 2026 FIFA World Cup