Journey to football history: World Cup 2026 qualifiers bring revolutionary changes

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The football world is experiencing a historic moment. Qualifications for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico are in full swing and bring the biggest changes in the modern history of world football. For the first time, 48 teams instead of the traditional 32 will participate in the tournament, meaning fifty percent more places and unprecedented opportunities for smaller football nations.

The three host countries - USA, Canada, and Mexico - have automatically secured participation, leaving 45 places to be distributed among the remaining confederations. A revolutionary step is also the first guaranteed place for the Oceanic confederation OFC in World Cup history, ending years of discrimination against island states.

Qualifications officially began on September 7, 2023, in the South American CONMEBOL zone, where the first goal was scored by Rafael Santos Borré from Colombia against Venezuela. Since then, hundreds of dramatic battles have taken place across all continents.

European qualification presents the most competitive battle for 16 places. The system includes twelve groups with four to five teams, with group winners advancing directly. The remaining four places will be decided in playoffs between twelve runners-up and four best Nations League teams that failed to qualify directly.

The draw for European groups will take place on December 13, 2024, in Zurich. Qualifications begin in March 2025 for four-team groups, while five-team groups start in September. The most dramatic moments will come in March 2026, when playoffs will be decided by single-leg semifinals and finals instead of traditional two-leg ties.

France, Germany, Spain, and England are among the main favorites in European qualification. Special attention will focus on Italy, which experienced playoff drama in the past two cycles. Harry Kane will lead England hoping for final World Cup participation, while Spain's golden generation continues its dominance.

South American CONMEBOL qualification offers six places, representing a comfortable situation for traditional powers. Brazil with Vinicius Junior leading the attack and Argentina with Messi's possible farewell are clear favorites. Colombia with James Rodriguez's renaissance and Uruguay with Suarez and Cavani's last chance complete the group of aspirants.

Africa received a historic nine places, triple the number from the 2022 World Cup. Senegal with Sadio Mané, Morocco as Qatar semifinalists, Nigeria with exploding young talent, and Egypt with Mohamed Salah's magic lead Africa's expansion on the world stage.

The Asian confederation AFC received a record eight places. Japan and South Korea remain certain favorites, while Australia and Iran fight for positions in the top group. Saudi Arabia could be a tournament surprise thanks to massive football investments.

The CONCACAF region has six places available, but three are taken by hosts. Costa Rica and Honduras fight for remaining positions alongside dark horses like Jamaica and Panama. Regional quality has significantly improved thanks to an influx of players competing in European leagues.

The Oceanic confederation OFC has a guaranteed place for the first time in history. New Zealand is the clear favorite, but smaller island states finally get a fair chance to prove their quality on the world stage.

The intercontinental playoff will offer final drama as six teams battle for the last two tournament places. This system ensures that quality prevails over geographical affiliation in decisive moments.

European playoffs bring revolutionary changes with single-leg matches instead of traditional two-leg ties. Sixteen teams will be divided into four paths, with semifinals and finals taking place in March 2026. The Nations League bonus provides a second chance for four best teams that failed to qualify directly.

The 2026 World Cup will take place in June and July across three countries with the most modern infrastructure. The tournament promises to be the most competitive in history due to the expanded format and quality of teams from all continents.

The road to the 2026 World Cup represents three years of constant football drama. Smaller nations receive unprecedented opportunities, while traditional powers must prove their quality in more demanding qualification systems. The football world is changing and the 2026 World Cup will crown this evolution.