Road to the 2026 World Cup: how is it shaping up with 48 places at stake?

With more teams to qualify than ever we take a look at the situation in the six confederations, from Japan being close to securing their place to Brazil’s struggles

The road to the 2026 World Cup, an unprecedented 48-team event, is under way. The finals, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, expands to 104 matches in 16 cities. Here is all you need to know about the diverse qualification paths for each confederation, key matches and emerging contenders.

Iran v UAE, 20 March

South Korea v Jordan, 25 March

Niger v Morocco, 21 March

Sudan v Senegal, 22 March

Topics

How the 2026 World Cup is tackling its turf problem with the ‘most micromanaged grass in the world’

The quest to solve the 2026 World Cup's turf problem has led to a high-stakes experiment, with the solution set to debut at next week's CONCACAF Nations League matches at SoFI Stadium.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Asian (AFC) 2026 World Cup qualifying schedule, scores, results, table

There is so much going on in the AFC region, with long fights for one of eight automatic places at the 2026 World Cup
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Oceania (OFC) 2026 World Cup qualifying latest: Schedule, results, table, how it works

The World Cup is guaranteed a contestant from Oceania for the first time since 2010 as 2026 World Cup qualifying is off and running.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Injured Neymar out of Brazil World Cup qualifiers

Brazil star Neymar was on Friday ruled out of upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after a thigh injury scuppered his recall to the national team.With Brazil down in ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Trump to lead task force for 2026 World Cup

President Donald Trump created a task force Friday to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which will bring the globe's premier soccer tournament to North America.
ESPN - Mar. 8
Nigeria seek World Cup redemption, Sudan eye history

Underperforming Nigeria and disadvantaged Sudan share the spotlight ahead of two 2026 World Cup qualifying matchdays in Africa from Wednesday. Seeded fifth in Group B, Sudan occupy first place ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Scotland's Clarke 75% sure he will leave after 2026 World Cup

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says there is a 75% chance he will not renew his contract after the 2026 World Cup.
BBC News - Mar. 11
CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying schedule, results, table: Messi's Argentina top; Brazil struggling

Reigning World Cup champions Argentina join Brazil, 8 others in race for 2026 World Cup berths
Yahoo Sports - 1d
“Need to see it as” – Maresca excited for Club World Cup as he reveals how Chelsea must view it

Enzo Maresca is excited for the Club World Cup this summer, with the Blues taking the tournament very seriously.The new 32 team tournament takes place in America this summer between June 14th and ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Messi out injured as Argentina seek to seal World Cup place

Lionel Messi will miss two World Cup qualifiers after he was on Monday left out of the Argentina squad for games against Uruguay and Brazil because he reportedly suffered an injury in a club game ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Trump creates 2026 FIFA World Cup task force

"I think it's going to make it more exciting," Mr. Trump said of playing the World Cup amid sharp rhetoric between leaders of the host nations amid the on-again, off-again tariffs.
CBS News - Mar. 7
Fifa accused of blocking labour inspection at 2026 World Cup stadium

Building and Wood Workers’ International makes claim Stadium in question is Azteca in Mexico City Fifa has been accused of reneging on a commitment to ensure workers’ safety on World Cup ...
The Guardian - Mar. 11
SoFi testing 'hybrid' pitch ahead of '26 World Cup

SoFi Stadium will debut new grass field technology for Concacaf Nations League games next week as a test run for World Cup 2026, the Los Angeles World Cup host committee announced Thursday.
ESPN - 5d
Mikaela Shiffrin sets World Cup podiums record, taking 3rd place in slalom race

Mikaela Shiffrin set an all-time World Cup record Sunday with her 156th podium finish though she let victory slip away in a slalom.
NBC News - Mar. 9
Odermatt wins fourth alpine skiing World Cup title

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt wins his fourth consecutive World Cup overall and giant slalom crystal globes with a second-place finish at Hafjell.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Estadio Azteca changes name ahead of 2026 WC

Mexico City's Estadio Azteca has changed its name to Estadio Banorte in order to help fund the final stages of remodeling for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
ESPN - 3d
CEO of Saffron Road food company credits "immigrant journey" for his success

Adnan Durani started his company Saffron Road in 2010 to bring foods from different cultures of the Silk Road to mainstream America. Nikki Battiste spoke to him about how his background as an ...
CBS News - 6d
Five talking points on Nations League, World Cup qualifiers in Europe

International football gets underway in Europe for the first time in 2025 as the Nations League moves into the quarter-finals stage and the continent's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign gets ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
🌏 Watch this week's AFC World Cup qualifiers LIVE on OneFootball 📺

Qualification for the 2026 World Cup continues this week, with a host of mouthwatering clashes coming our way from the Asian Football Confederation.Once again, users in the United States, Canada, ...
Yahoo Sports - 1h
Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump have taken the 2026 World Cup for themselves | Leander Schaerlaeckens

The tournament will be leveraged for the glorification of a leader to a degree not seen since Benito Mussolini dominated the 1934 World Cup in Italy. Two men held a press event in the Oval Office ...
The Guardian - Mar. 12
China call up Brazil-born player for vital World Cup qualifiers

China have included Brazil-born midfielder Serginho in their squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers, less than a week after he obtained Chinese citizenship.Brazil-born players Elkeson, Alan and ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Odermatt makes World Cup title official and clinches GS title as well

Loic Meillard led a Swiss podium sweep in a giant slalom in Norway as second-placed Marco Odermatt clinched a third straight World Cup title in the discipline and made a fourth overall crown in a ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Endo says Japan won't be satisfied just to reach World Cup

Liverpool's Wataru Endo said Japan's sights are set higher than just qualifying for next year's World Cup as they look to become the first team to clinch their place on Thursday."I want us to ...
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Howe turns up 'drenched' to news conference after cup win

Watch the moment Eddie Howe arrives for his Carabao Cup final post-match news conference admitting to smelling "strange", following Newcastle's celebrations.
BBC News - 2d
FIFA, Infantino can have a World Cup halftime show: Just end it in 15 minutes

I don't mind FIFA adding a Super Bowl-style halftime show during the 2026 World Cup final -- as long as they don't mess with the most important thing in soccer: halftime can't be longer than 15 ...
ESPN - Mar. 9
Marcus Rashford earns England recall for World Cup qualifiers

Marcus Rashford has been called up to the England squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.Thomas Tuchel is preparing for his first games as England manager and ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
NHL Trade Deadline 2025: Who Are The Post-Deadline Cup Contenders?

With the NHL’s trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, we’re going to pinpoint below the league’s teams that are shaping up as true Stanley Cup contenders. In alphabetical order:
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8
Injury-hit Socceroos ring changes for crunch World Cup qualifiers

Australia coach Tony Popovic rang the changes Friday for the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifiers, calling up six uncapped players and turning to two others who have not seen international action ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Son says fit and firing as South Korea close on World Cup spot

Son Heung-min dismissed concerns about his form and fitness on Wednesday as he looks to forget his Tottenham woes by firing South Korea to the World Cup.South Korea are within grasp of a place at ...
Yahoo Sports - 2h
Brignone closes in on overall World Cup title with super-G victory near her Italian hometown

Federica Brignone all but locked up the women’s overall World Cup title by winning a super-G on Friday, giving the Italian a near-insurmountable lead in the season standings. Brignone extended her ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
The making of Elon Musk: how did his childhood in apartheid South Africa shape him?

The billionaire and now Trump adviser grew up amid the collapse of white rule, attending an all-white school and then a more liberal one. With an imposing double-winged redbrick main building, and ...
The Guardian - Mar. 10
Calipari, Self gearing up for another high-stakes matchup

Thursday's NCAA Tournament game isn't the first high-stakes matchup between John Calipari and Bill Self.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
'It's a money game now' — How LSU is using NIL to keep up in ever-evolving college football world

After falling short of expectations for three seasons, LSU drummed up as much as it could in fundraising to get the Tigers back in the national picture. Here's a deep dive into how that all works ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Saintfiet aims to 'write World Cup history' with Mali

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet hopes to break new ground by guiding the Eagles to the Fifa World Cup finals for the first time.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Pick your England XI for World Cup qualifiers

Who would you select to start for England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge?
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Messi out of Argentina's next World Cup qualifiers

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi is left out of Argentina's squad for their next two World Cup qualifiers.
BBC News - 1d
No. 1 seeds, conference tournament stakes, more men's Champ Week storylines

It's Auburn vs. Duke, other 1-seed possibilities and teams with the most at stake in their conference tournaments as Champ Week heats up.
ESPN - Mar. 11
Carabao Cup final 2025: When is it, how to watch, latest news and odds

Liverpool will take on Newcastle in the 2025 League Cup final after their 4-0 demolition of Tottenham at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men triumphed 4-1 on aggregate to set up a Wembley showdown against ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Bruins take down Mallards on the road

Mar. 14—The Austin Bruins took care of business against the last place Minnesota Mallards (10-38-1-2 overall) as they won 4-1 on the road Thursday night. The Bruins out-shot the Mallards 43-5 in ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d

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Cuts are expected to come from hiring freezes, dismissing some probationary workers and by people taking up an offer to resign. Democratic congressman Glenn Ivey told constituents at a town hall ...
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