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Fifa World Cup team guideThis summer, the World Cup enters its
biggest era yet.
For the first time, 48 teams will compete
for the trophy, with matches spread
across Canada, Mexico and the United
States of America.
The expansion brings familiar giants
and four first-time qualifiers into the
field, creating the largest edition in its
history, with more matches and
storylines than ever before.
Alongside former winners are returning
sides with long World Cup histories,
nations ending lengthy waits to get
back on the stage and debutants
appearing at the finals for the first time.
Each continent provides its own stories,
from South America’s traditional
heavyweights to Africa’s growing
ambitions and Europe’s deep field of
contenders.
Below is all you need to know about
the 48 sides…
¹Algeria,
²Argentina,
³Australia,
⁴Austria,
⁵Belgium,
⁶Bosnia and Herzegovina,
⁷Brazil,
⁸Canada,
⁹Cape Verde,
¹⁰Colombia,
¹¹Croatia,
¹²Curaçao,
¹³Czech Republic,
¹⁴DR Congo,
¹⁵Ecuador,
¹⁶Egypt,
¹⁷England,
¹⁸France,
¹⁹Germany,
²⁰Ghana,
²¹Haiti,
²²Iran,
²³Iraq,
²⁴Ivory Coast,
²⁵Japan,
²⁶Jordan,
²⁷Mexico,
²⁸Morocco,
²⁹Netherlands,
³⁰New Zealand,
³¹Norway,
³²Panama,
³³Paraguay,
Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.
North & Central America
The contingent has a different feel in 2026, with Canada, Mexico and the United States all qualifying automatically as co-hosts.
For Mexico and the USA, that brings expectation as much as opportunity, while Canada have another chance to show that their return to the world stage is more than a one-off.
Beyond the hosts, qualifying produced three key stories, with Panama returning after making their debut in 2018, Haiti being back for the first time since 1974 and Curacao making their World Cup debut.
South America
South America’s six qualifiers bring the usual weight of World Cup history, led by reigning champions Argentina and five-time winners Brazil.
Sides in the continent faced a tricky round-robin format to reach the finals, with Ecuador producing an impressive display to finish second despite beginning with a points deduction.
Colombia, who missed out in 2022, make their return, while a resurgent Paraguay are back for the first time since 2010. Uruguay, who won the first edition in 1930, provide another dose of strength.
Europe
Europe provides the biggest group of sides at the World Cup - and some of the strongest contenders for the trophy.
France, Spain, Portugal and England are all among the main favourites, while Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia have proven tournament pedigree.
Qualifying brought some notable returns, with Scotland and Norway both making their first appearance since 1998, while Bosnia-Herzegovina are back after missing the past two World Cups.
Twelve sides qualified as group winners before Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey made it through the play-offs.
Africa
This tournament sees Africa field a record 10 teams, with the expanded format opening the door to comeback stories and a World Cup debut.
Morocco return after becoming the first African side to reach a semi-final in 2022, while Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia and Egypt are all familiar with the World Cup.
Algeria, Ivory Coast and South Africa are back after missing recent editions, while DR Congo return for the first time since 1974 and Cape Verde are newcomers.
Asia
Asia provides two breakthrough stories, with Jordan and Uzbekistan both making their first appearance at a World Cup.
The expanded format helped Iraq qualify for the first time since 1986, having to go through a lengthy process which ended in them beating Bolivia in an intercontinental play-off to book their spot.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia made it through the play-offs, while Japan, Iran, South Korea, Jordan and Uzbekistan booked their spot by topping their third-round groups.
Australia & New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand arrive by very different routes, with Australia having competed in Asian qualifying and New Zealand going through the Oceanian section.
Australia secured an automatic place by finishing second behind Japan in their group and will make their sixth successive appearance at a World Cup.
New Zealand benefitted from the new format providing Oceania with a direct World Cup place for the first time and they beat New Caledonia in the qualifying final to reach the tournament after a 16-year absence.
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