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FIFA Council sets path to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification

FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification format set

The FIFA Council met in Zurich on Thursday to discuss the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification process. The Council approved a proposal from the FIFA Administration to use a new format for the qualification process, which will see the number of teams participating in the tournament expand from 32 to 48.

Key changes to the qualification process

The new qualification format will see the following key changes: * The number of teams participating in the tournament will expand from 32 to 48. * The qualification process will be divided into two phases: a group stage and a play-off stage. * The group stage will see the teams divided into 16 groups of three teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-off stage. * The play-off stage will see the 32 teams that have advanced from the group stage compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine the final 16 teams that will qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

AFC qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026

The AFC will have 8 direct slots for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The remaining 4 slots will be decided through play-offs. The AFC qualification process will be as follows: * The 48 teams will be divided into 16 groups of three teams each. * The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round. * The 32 teams in the second round will be divided into 8 groups of four teams each. * The top two teams from each group will advance to the third round. * The 16 teams in the third round will be divided into two groups of eight teams each. * The top two teams from each group will qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. * The third-placed teams from each group will advance to the play-offs.

CONCACAF qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026

CONCACAF will have 6 direct slots for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The remaining 2 slots will be decided through play-offs. The CONCACAF qualification process will be as follows: * The 35 teams will be divided into 9 groups of four teams each. * The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round. * The 18 teams in the second round will be divided into three groups of six teams each. * The top two teams from each group will advance to the third round. * The six teams in the third round will compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine the three teams that will qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. * The fourth-placed team from the third round will advance to the play-offs.

CONMEBOL qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026

CONMEBOL will have 6 direct slots for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The remaining 2 slots will be decided through play-offs. The CONMEBOL qualification process will be as follows: * The 10 teams will play each other in a single round-robin format. * The top four teams will qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. * The fifth-placed team will advance to the play-offs.

OFC qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026

OFC will have 1 direct slot for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The remaining 1 slot will be decided through play-offs. The OFC qualification process will be as follows: * The 11 teams will play each other in a single round-robin format. * The top team will qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. * The second-placed team will advance to the play-offs.

CAF qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026

CAF will have 9 direct slots for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The remaining 2 slots will be decided through play-offs. The CAF qualification process will be as follows: * The 54 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four teams each. * The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round. * The 24 teams in the second round will be divided into six groups of four teams each. * The top two teams from each group will advance to the third round. * The 12 teams in the third round will be divided into two groups of six teams each. * The top two teams from each group will qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. * The third-placed teams from each group will advance to the play-offs.

UEFA qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026

UEFA will have 16 direct slots for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The remaining 2 slots will be decided through play-offs. The UEFA qualification process will be as follows: * The 55 teams will be