World Cup
Road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins next week Thursday
The very first ball on the road to World Cup 2026 will be kicked next week Thursday, 7 September when Paraguay host Peru. Later that same day, Argentina begin their title defence when they host Ecuador.
That is just 263 after they lifted the World Cup at Qatar 2022. Preliminary competitions for Africa and Asia will also get under way before the end of the year as nations battle it out for coveted spots at the global finals.
In Asia which is the most populous confederation, eight teams are set for direct qualification and a further berth possible via the Play-off Tournament.
The first round of the FIFA World Cup 26 Asia Football Confederation (AFC) qualification competition will take place in October. Twenty teams will contest 10 two-legged home-and-away ties, with the winners joining 26 other nations in the second round.
There are five qualifying rounds in total to determine the eight direct slots Asia has been awarded at the FIFA World Cup 26, with one additional nation progressing to the FIFA Play-off Tournament.
Africa’s preliminary tournament begins on 13 November 2023.
The 54 CAF nations will compete in nine groups of six, with each of the group winners qualifying automatically for the FIFA World Cup 26.
The four best group runners-up will advance to a play-off stage to determine the Mother Continent’s sole representative at the FIFA Play-off Tournament.
Co-hosts Canada, Mexico and USA all receive automatic berths, leaving three direct slots and a possible further two via the Play-off Tournament up for grabs in Concacaf.
The qualification tournament will begin in March 2024. The region’s four lowest-ranked teams will be split into two match-ups and will contest home-and-away ties. The winners will advance to the second round.
In the second round, a total of 30 Concacaf sides will compete in six groups of five teams. The nations will play the other teams in their groups once. Each country will play two home matches and two away games. The group winners and runners-up (12 teams in total) will progress to the final round.
The 12 nations in the final round will be split into three groups of four teams. Within each group, teams will play each other home and away. The three group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, joining hosts Canada, Mexico and USA. The two best second-place finishers will qualify for the FIFA Play-off Tournament.
CONMEBOL qualifying will begin on 7 September 2023 and end in September 2025.
Ten teams will compete in a single league format and play each other home and away. The top six teams will qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the seventh-placed side entering the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
For the very first time, Oceania will have a guaranteed qualification spot for the World Cup, as well as a second second slot via the Play-off Tournament.
The first of three preliminary rounds, which will involve the continent’s four lowest-ranked nations, is due to take place in September 2024. A second stage, entailing two four-team groups, will then be played out over the next two months, before a decisive third round in March 2025 brings together four teams for semi-finals and finals that will determine OFC’s World Cup and Play-off Tournament representatives.
Europe’s qualifying competition is scheduled to begin in March 2025 and conclude in March 2026.
The first round will follow a familiar format, with 12 groups of four or five teams, and the section winners securing World Cup slots. The continent’s four remaining berths will then be settled in a 16-team UEFA play-off competition involving the 12 group runners-up and four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners.
The FIFA Play-off Tournament will see six sides fight it out for the final two places at the 23rd FIFA World Cup.
It will involve two teams from Concacaf and one team apiece from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC. The four lowest-ranked nations will meet in bracket semi-finals. The two highest-ranked teams will go directly into the finals. The winners of the two bracket finals will reach the FIFA World Cup 26.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER.
Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Portugal to remain focused on their FIFA World Cup campaign after they were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Group K opener on Wednesday.
The Portugal captain took to his X account shortly after the match to rally his teammates and supporters following a frustrating start to the tournament.
“It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game,” Ronaldo posted.
Portugal entered the tournament among the favourites but were unable to secure victory against a determined Congolese side making its first World Cup appearance in 52 years.
Joao Neves gave Portugal an early lead after six minutes, heading home a cross from Pedro Neto to put the Europeans in control. However, DR Congo grew into the contest and were rewarded in first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa headed in Arthur Masuaku’s cross to score his country’s first-ever World Cup goal.
Despite dominating possession for long periods, Portugal struggled to break down the disciplined Congolese defence in the second half.
Ronaldo, appearing at a record-equalling sixth World Cup alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi, endured a difficult afternoon. The 41-year-old, who became the oldest player to start a World Cup match, was closely marked throughout and missed two opportunities from close range.
The draw leaves Group K wide open, with Portugal now under pressure to secure a positive result in their next outing against Uzbekistan.
For DR Congo, meanwhile, the result was celebrated as a landmark achievement, earning a valuable point against one of Europe’s leading nations and marking a memorable return to football’s biggest stage.
While the result fell short of Portugal’s expectations, Ronaldo’s message reflected a determination within the squad to quickly move on and keep their World Cup ambitions firmly on track.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER, CANADA
Switzerland will seek to continue their impressive record against fellow European opposition at the FIFA World Cup when they take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in a potentially decisive group-stage clash.
The Swiss have won four of their last six World Cup group matches against UEFA opponents, demonstrating an ability to rise to the occasion when facing familiar continental rivals on football’s biggest stage.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, arrive determined to make history as they prepare to face a European opponent for the first time in the FIFA World Cup competition.
The encounter pits Switzerland’s tournament experience against Bosnia’s ambition, with both sides aware that victory could provide a significant boost in the race for qualification.
Switzerland will rely on their traditional strengths of organisation, discipline and tactical efficiency, while Bosnia will hope to showcase the attacking flair that helped them earn a place at the expanded tournament.
With the group finely balanced, neither side can afford to drop points as the battle for a knockout-round place intensifies.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER, CANADA..
South Africa will be desperate to keep their FIFA World Cup campaign on track when they face Czechia in a crucial Group-stage encounter on Thursday.
Bafana Bafana are seeking to avoid successive World Cup defeats for the first time in their history and know that a positive result could significantly boost their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.
The match rekindles a rare international rivalry, with the only previous meeting between the two nations ending in a 2-2 draw during the group stage of the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup.
South Africa will take encouragement from their fighting spirit despite their opening setback and will be hoping to draw inspiration from the continent’s strong performances at the expanded 48-team tournament.
Czechia, meanwhile, enter the contest eager to strengthen their position in the group and maintain momentum in their quest for a place in the last 32.
For South Africa, the encounter represents more than just three points. It is an opportunity to revive their campaign and underline Africa’s growing influence on football’s biggest stage.
With qualification implications already looming large, Bafana Bafana know that another defeat would leave them facing an uphill task in the remaining group matches.
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Ronaldo Remains Defiant After Portugal Held by DR Congo
Switzerland Look to Continue Strong European Record Against Bosnia and Herzegovina
South Africa Target First Points as Czechia Loom in Crucial World Cup Clash
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