Get ready football fans, because the race for the 2026 World Cup has began! The World’s most prestigious tournament will be bigger and better than ever, with a whopping 48 participants vying for the glory on the grandest stage of them all. From Africa to Europe, teams from across the globe will battle it out in thrilling qualification rounds, showcasing their skill and determination to secure a coveted spot in this historic event.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the three North American Countries (Mexico, United States and Canada) from 11 June to 19 July 2026. This will be the 23rd edition of the men’s football tournament that draws qualified national teams of FIFA member countries from across the world. The tournament is held every 4 years and is hosted by a country selected by FIFA. With an expanded format that includes 48 participants, the competition is set to reach new heights. So fasten your seatbelts and join us as we dive into the exciting world Cup qualifiers for 2026 which will commence in September 2023 and end in March 2026. An overview for all Leagues can be found on our Football predictions page
World Cup Qualifiers predictions
Bolivia vs Brazil prediction
As the South American World Cup Qualifiers progress, the match between Bolivia and Brazil promises to be an intriguing encounter. Scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 02:30 AM GMT +3, this match will take place amidst a backdrop of heated competition as teams strive for qualification to the prestigious tournament. Currently, Bolivia occupies the ... More
Ecuador vs Argentina prediction
The World Cup Qualifiers in South America bring forth an intriguing clash as Ecuador prepares to host Argentina on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 02:00 AM GMT +3. This match, taking place on the final matchday of the qualification process, carries significant implications for both teams. Ecuador currently sits in a commendable fourth position, competing ... More
Serbia vs England WC prediction
On Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, a pivotal showdown in the World Cup Qualifiers for Europe will unfold at the historic Marakana stadium. The engagement between Serbia and England promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams hailing from Group K. As the competition intensifies, England finds itself sitting comfortably atop the table, while Serbia ... More
France vs Iceland prediction
On Tuesday, 9th September 2025, the footballing world will turn its attention to the iconic Parc des Princes, where France is set to take on Iceland in a pivotal World Cup qualifying match in Group D. Both teams enter this encounter with three points to their name, having each claimed a victory in their opening ... More
Hungary vs Portugal prediction
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification is shaping up to be an enthralling affair, and the upcoming clash on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, between Hungary and Portugal at the Puskas Arena will certainly draw attention from fans and pundits alike. With Hungary positioned third in Group F and Portugal leading the pack, this match promises ... More
South Africa vs Nigeria prediction
The highly anticipated World Cup Qualifying match between South Africa and Nigeria is set to take place on Tuesday, 9th September 2025, at 19:00 GMT+3 local time. This clash, part of the African qualifying campaign for the prestigious 2026 FIFA World Cup, sees South Africa currently top Group C with 16 points, while Nigeria sits ... More
D.R Congo vs Senegal prediction
As the WC-Qualifying phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, the spotlight will be on Group B as DR Congo prepares to host Senegal on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM GMT+3. This pivotal clash will have significant ramifications for both teams’ aspirations of qualifying for the World Cup. Currently, DR Congo leading ... More
Tanzania vs Niger prediction
On Tuesday, 09 September 2025, the World Cup Qualifiers in Africa will showcase an intriguing encounter between Tanzania and Niger at 4:00 PM GMT+3. This Group E fixture holds significant ramifications as both teams vie for crucial points in their pursuit of a place in the global tournament. Having positioned themselves close in the standings, ... More
Kenya vs Seychelles prediction
The upcoming World Cup Qualifier match set to take place on Tuesday, 09.09.2025, at 4:00 PM GMT+3, promises to be an intriguing encounter as Kenya hosts Seychelles in Group F action. With both teams striving to better their standing in the qualifiers, this match is particularly significant for Kenya, who currently sits fifth in the ... More
Turkey vs Spain prediction
As the excitement of the WC-Qualifying stage unfolds, the much-anticipated match between Turkey and Spain is poised to take place on Sunday, 7th September 2025, at the Konya Büyükşehir Stadyumu. This Group E clash will be crucial for both teams as they strive for qualification to the World Cup. With Turkey looking to bounce back ... More
Poland vs Finland prediction
As the European World Cup Qualifiers progress, Poland is set to clash with Finland in an intriguing Group G matchup. Scheduled for Sunday, 07 September 2025, at 21:45, this encounter will take place at the Śląski Stadium. With both teams striving for qualification, the stakes are high. Poland currently occupies the third position in the ... More
Germany vs Northern Ireland prediction
As the qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, the upcoming match between Germany and Northern Ireland presents a compelling scenario. Scheduled for Sunday, 7th September 2025, at the RheinEnergieStadion, this encounter serves as an important fixture in Group A of the European qualifiers. Germany, under the management of Julian Nagelsmann, will be ... More
Belgium vs Kazakhstan prediction
The highly anticipated World Cup qualifying match between Belgium and Kazakhstan is set to take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 9:45 PM GMT +3 at Lotto Park in Brussels. As both teams battle for crucial points in Group J, the stakes are high, with Belgium aiming to solidify their position as a leading ... More
Lithuania vs Netherlands prediction
As the World Cup Qualifiers in Europe continue, the highly anticipated match between Lithuania and the Netherlands is set to take place on Sunday, 7th September 2025, at 7:00 PM GMT +3. This clash, part of Group G, will be hosted at the Dariaus ir Girėno Stadium. While the Netherlands arrives with a robust performance ... More
Central Africa Republic vs Comoros prediction
As the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Africa intensify, Group I presents an intriguing matchup between the Central African Republic and Comoros. Scheduled for Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM GMT +3, this match promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams. The Central African Republic sits at the bottom of the group ... More
Ireland vs Hungary prediction
As the intense competition of the World Cup Qualifiers in Europe continues, the upcoming clash between Ireland and Hungary promises to be an intriguing encounter. Set to take place on Saturday, 6th September 2025, at 21:45 GMT+3 in the Aviva Stadium, this match falls within the context of Group F, where both teams will be ... More
Austria vs Cyprus prediction
As the qualifying rounds for the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw nearer, Austria is set to face Cyprus in what promises to be a compelling matchup. The match will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 21:45 GMT+3 in the Raiffeisen-Arena. Currently, Austria sits comfortably in second place in Group H with 6 points, ... More
England vs Andorra pediction
As the World Cup Qualifiers in Europe continue to unfold, an enticing clash is set to take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Villa Park, as England hosts Andorra in Group K. With England firmly positioned at the top of the table and boasting an impressive record, the match promises to be a showcase ... More
Armenia vs Portugal prediction
The upcoming fixture between Armenia and Portugal in the World Cup Qualifiers promises to be an engaging encounter, with both teams eager to secure valuable points as they position themselves within Group F. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 06th September 2025, at 7:00 PM GMT+3, and will take place at the historic Hanrapetakan stadium. ... More
Nigeria vs Rwanda WC prediction
The upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Nigeria and Rwanda promises to be an engaging encounter as both teams vie for critical points in Group C. Scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM GMT+3, the match will take place in Nigeria, where the home side seeks to solidify its standing in the ... More
Qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026
Qualification for 2026 FIFA World Cup is based on the 6 continental football federations under FIFA: CONCACAF, AFC, CAF, OFC, CONMEBOL and EUFA. Each continental federation is given an agreed number of slots out of the total number of 48. Member nations compete for these slots for the right to participate in the main event. The host nations qualifies automatically. The continental regions are:
- Africa – 9 teams
- Europe – 16 teams
- Asia – 8
- North, Central America, and the Caribbean – 6 teams
- South America – 6 teams
- Oceania – 1 team
- Play-off Tournament: 2 teams
In order to secure a spot in the tournament, national teams will have to navigate their way through various qualifying stages specific to their respective confederations. Each confederation has its own unique format and criteria for determining which teams will earn their place on the world stage. This is commonly done through group matches, league format, or knockout matches.
The numbers above accounts for only 46 of the 48 required teams. With the remaining 2 teams to be seeded by a 6-team play-offs in the FIFA playoff Tournament – teams to be selected based on FIFA’s proposal:
- 1 team from each confederation except UEFA
- 1 team from host’s confederation (CONCACAF)
- Out of this 6 teams, 2 teams will be seeded based on FIFA ranking
Latest betting predictions
| Match | Date | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya vs Seychelles prediction | Tue, 09.09.2025 | BTTS – NO |
| Tanzania vs Niger prediction | Tue, 09.09.2025 | Tanzania Win – Tip 1 |
| DR Congo vs Senegal prediction | Tue, 09.09.2025 | DC Senegal/Draw |
| South Africa vs Nigeria prediction | Tue, 09.09.2025 | South Africa Win – Tip 1 |
| France vs Iceland prediction | Tue, 09.09.2025 | Goal In Both Halves |
| Hungary vs Portugal prediction | Tue, 09.09.2025 | Correct Score 0-2 |
| Serbia vs England prediction | Tue, 09.09.2025 | England Win (DNB) |
| Ecuador vs Argentina prediction | Wed, 10.09.2025 | DC Argentina/Draw |
| Bolivia vs Brazil prediction | Wed, 10.09.2025 | Brazil Win – Tip 2 |
| Leverkusen vs Frankfurt prediction | Fri, 12.09.2025 | Both Teams to Score |
| Marseille vs Lorient prediction | Fri, 12.09.2025 | Over 3,5 Goals |
| Sevilla vs Elche prediction | Fri, 12.09.2025 | Sevilla Win (DNB) |
Africa qualification format
Africa is allocated 9 slots out of the final 48 teams to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. There are a total of 54 national teams that are members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competing for the nine places available. All the 54 member associations of CAF entered qualification. The seeding was done based on FIFA rankings.
The qualification format used by CAF for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is divided into three stages:
First Stage (Group Stage)
In the first stage, all 54 national teams are divided into 9 groups of 6 member teams each, based on the FIFA ranking. Each group plays against each other in a home-and-away format, with the group winners securing automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. The first stage will start from 13th November 2023 up until 25th March 2025.
Second Stage (4 Best Runners-up Play-Offs)
In stage two, the four best second-placed teams from the group stage will enter into a play-off stage to decide the one team that will be representing CAF in the FIFA play-off tournament. The play-off winner will proceed to compete with other 5 members who will be representing other confederations. The knockout games will be held from 1st September, 2025 to 14th October. 2025.
Third Stage (FIFA play-Offs)
Stage three is where it gets really intense as the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws nearer. The winner form stage two goes to represents CAF in the FIFA play-off tournament to compete for the remaining 2 out of the 48 participating slots in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. The third round matches will be played on 10th-18th November 2025.
Europe qualification format
Europe takes the lion’s share of the expanded 48 world cup slots available to FIFA members. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) will produce 16 teams for the tournament. All 55 member nations of UEFA will enter qualification to compete for the available slots. On 25 January, 2023, the UEFA Executive Committee presented the revised qualification format due to the expanded qualifying slots from13 to 16. The updated qualification path also follows UEFA’s usual format of Group Stage and Playoff Stage. The results of the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League will be factored into the qualification process.
Group Stage
There will be 12 groups comprising 4 or 5 teams each. The top 4 teams from the UEFA Nations League finals will be placed in smaller groups. The 12 group winners will earn an automatic qualifying spot for the World Cup. The 12 group runners-up proceed to the playoff stage.
Playoff Stage
The playoff stage is contested by a total of 16 teams. These include the 12 runners-up from the group stage plus 4 highest ranked UEFA Nations League group winners who fail to finish in the top 2 of the world cup qualifying group stage. The 16 teams at this stage are divided into 4 groups. In each group, the 4 teams are paired and they play each other in a one-legged knockout format of semi-finals and finals. The 4 winners from each group qualify for the world cup. They join the winners from the group stage to make it 16 European teams at the world cup.
Our World Cup qualifiers predictions
Africa
After a successful CAF Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26 which took place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, the group stage matches is poised to bring together some interesting matchups. Only 1 team can proceed from each group so some big names are likely to miss out. Continental giants Nigeria and South Africa are both in Group C; Algeria battles Uganda in Group G, Morocco will clash with Zambia, and Ghana will face Mali in Group I. The other top teams have relatively easy groups that they are expected to win. y
Our World Cup qualifiers predictions for Africa
From the qualification path, the most likely teams to qualify for FIFA World Cup 26 from Africa are; Morocco, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Code d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Egypt, and South Africa. You can also dive into our top-notch AFCON tips for some sure wins in the ongoing African Cup of Nation’s qualifiers!
Europe
The European format gives a second chance to big teams that fail to top their qualification groups to qualify via the playoff stages. This means that there will be competition for the top 2 slots of each group.
Our World Cup qualifiers predictions for Europe
The 12 teams that are likely to top their respective groups are: Portugal, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany, Serbia, Switzerland, and Croatia.