Cape Verde became the 22nd nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup (June 11-July 19) on Monday, the first to be held in three countries (the United States, Canada and Mexico) and in a format expanded to 48 teams.

Update on the qualified nations.

Host countries, automatically qualified:

United States, Canada and Mexico (3)

. Other qualified nations:

Asia Zone (AFC): Australia, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Uzbekistan (6)

Oceania Zone (OFC):   New Zealand (1)

South America Zone (Conmebol): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay (6)

Africa Zone (CAF): Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde (6)

(Note that Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan will play in their first ever World Cup finals next summer)

. Instructions for use

The 48 participating nations will be divided into twelve groups of four teams, the top two of which will advance directly to the round of 32, a first in the history of the World Cup. The eight best third-placed teams will complete the group.

The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in Greater New York City.

Sixteen stadiums will host the competition matches (eleven in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada).

. The 16 host cities

United States: Kansas City, Boston, Greater New York, Seattle, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Houston

Mexico: Monterrey, Mexico City, Guadalajara

Canada: Vancouver, Toronto