World Cup 2026: which countries have qualified and how did they do it?

No Ireland unfortunately, but we now know 42 of the 48 of the teams that will play next year, but a few prized remaining places remain up for grabs in the final round of play offs

MEGA MAN: Arsenal and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres grabbed a hat-trick in their World Cup play off semi-final win over Ukraine in Valencia. The Swedes will now meet Poland on Tuesday for a coveted place at the 2026 finals. Pic: Jose Jordan/Getty

Africa

All nine of the automatic places have been filled by the nine group winners, with the four best runners-up – DR Congo, Gabon, Cameroon and Nigeria – competing in November’s playoffs in Morocco. Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 in the first semi-final, while Cameroon fell to a last-gasp 1-0 defeat by DR Congo in the second tie. DR Congo upset Nigeria after a gripping penalty shootout in the final, and represent Africa in the intercontinental playoffs.