The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico with an expanded team format. Argentina will look to hold onto its title as various confederations have begun their qualification processes, with Europe starting in March 2025. Key qualification start dates include: CONMEBOL (Sept 2023), AFC (Oct 2023), CAF (Nov 2023), and others later in 2024 and 2025.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring an expanded array of teams as the tournament celebrates its 23rd edition. This page will aggregate all essential updates related to the World Cup, including links to qualification formats, standings, results, and the teams that have secured their spots in the tournament.
Currently, Argentina, the reigning champion, aims to defend its title at the upcoming World Cup. Both CONMEBOL and the Asian Football Confederation began their qualification processes early, with Africa initiating its qualifying matches in late 2023. Both CONCACAF and Oceania will also commence their qualifications shortly, contributing to the countdown to the 2026 World Cup.
European teams will have to wait until a half-year later to begin their World Cup qualification journey, starting in March 2025. The qualification timelines for the various confederations are as follows: CONMEBOL started qualifying in September 2023, AFC followed in October 2023, CAF began in November 2023, CONCACAF is set to start in March 2024, and OFC kicks off its qualification process in September 2024.
Original Source: www.nbcsports.com
