The road to the 2026 World Cup: who has qualified and who is at risk
Ireland's World Cup dreams look all but shattered after a demoralising loss to Armenia on Tuesday. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Forty-eight teams will participate in next summer’s World Cup, with the hosts, Canada, Mexico and the United States, granted automatic entry. A further 43 places are determined by qualifying competitions across the six confederations and the remaining two will be decided at March’s six-team intercontinental playoffs in Monterrey and Guadalajara. After September’s internationals 18 counties have places booked. The draw is due to take place on 5 December at Washington’s Kennedy Centre.
