How will 48-team 2026 World Cup work? England and France have secured their qualification, while plenty of other nations are pushing hard to join them soon. Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Austria are all looking very good in qualifying,

A few more can be secured as World Cup qualifiers take place during FIFA's November international window. The attention during the November qualification slate leans heavy toward Europe, where as many as eight nations can join the World Cup field this week.

2026 marks the first World Cup since FIFA expanded the tournament to 48 teams, adding 16 additional slots from the 2022 edition. As a result, there is even more space for teams from across the six confederations to secure their spot as the international tournament heads to North America.

The 2026 World Cup draw will be held before the field is settled in full, as December 5 gives every nation its path to the World Cup Final.

Spain and Lamine Yamal, France and Kylian Mbappé plus Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo are close to confirming their places at the 2026 World Cup.

Here's the current list of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup: SOUTH AMERICA (6): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay ASIA (8): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan

Spain, led by teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, France with Kylian Mbappe and Portugal powered by Cristiano Ronaldo, are all closing in on spots at the

World Cup co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico are already in, but the list for the 2026 field keeps growing.

Kylian Mbappé fired France into the World Cup with two goals - reaching 400 in his career - in the 4-0 win over Ukraine. The Real Madrid forward took his tally to seven in his last six internationals with second-half goals either side of a strike from Bayern Munich's Michael Olise,