How many Countries Qualify for the World Cup 2026?

Who remembers 32-team World Cups? That's been the number for as long as I've been alive (since 1997), but for those older and wiser than I, you may recall the days when there were 24, or even 16.

It's all change, now, as we gear up for next year's edition in Canada, Mexico and the USA. So, just how many countries qualify for the World Cup 2026? Let's find out below...

Why has the number increased?

At the World Cup 2026, we will see 16 more teams, 40 more matches and an additional knockout round, compared to the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, which was won by Lionel Messi's Argentina.

The reason for this? Well, it depends on who you ask, of course.

Football Odds

Fifa president Gianni Infantino, speaking in 2017, described the increase in teams as a "football decision".

Critics of the decision, however, have suggested money is the overriding factor in all this, and according to Fifa research around the time the change was confirmed, external revenue was predicted to increase to £5.29bn for a 48-team tournament, giving a potential profit rise of £521m.

Today's Football Fixtures

Uefa boasted 13 representatives in Qatar, but next year, 16 European nations will be at the finals.

AFC were the next-best represented governing body, with six of their sides appearing at the World Cup 2022, including hosts Qatar. In 2026, they are guaranteed to have eight teams, with a ninth possible.

CAF (five) were third for the number of nations last time, and they have been guaranteed an extra four places. With a further one up for grabs, they could be the second-best represented governing body, behind Uefa, at the World Cup 2026.

World Cup Odds

Concacaf and Conmebol both took four countries each to Qatar, and they have both been guaranteed an extra two spots next year. However, while Concacaf have two tournament play-off places, Conmebol only have one.

Finally, we come to OFC, who were the only governing body not represented in 2022, as none of their teams qualified. That will change in 2026, though, as they have been granted one direct spot and one play-off tournament place.

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