The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, with 16 countries now confirmed for the global tournament. Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay became the latest nations to seal qualification on Thursday, following the penultimate round of the South American qualifiers.
Uruguay and Colombia both celebrated emphatic 3-0 victories, while Paraguay earned their ticket with a hard-fought goalless draw. These three teams will now join South American powerhouses Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador, who had already booked their spots.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup promises to be historic as it will feature a record 48 teams for the first time. The tournament will be co-hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, all of whom qualified automatically as hosts.
Beyond South America, several nations from Asia and Oceania have also confirmed their participation. These include Japan, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Australia, and New Zealand.
In total, 43 teams will secure qualification through their respective continental tournaments, while the final two slots will be decided via intercontinental playoffs in March 2026, involving six competing nations.
With the list of qualified teams growing, anticipation is building for what promises to be the biggest and most exciting World Cup in history.
