Four of the nine automatic qualification spots have been secured, while the four highest-ranked runners-up will compete in November’s continental playoffs for a chance to advance to the intercontinental playoffs.
### Egypt
Mohamed Salah scored twice as Egypt defeated Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday, securing their place in the finals with one match remaining. Despite failing to reach the previous tournament, this will be Egypt’s fourth appearance. Curiously, they qualified for the inaugural 1930 World Cup but missed their voyage from Marseille to South America due to a storm.
### Morocco
After a 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat on September 5, Morocco became the first African nation to secure their place in the 2026 finals. The team, which reached the semifinals in the last tournament, topped Group E with two matches to spare after Tanzania drew with Congo-Brazzaville. Morocco has now qualified six times and will co-host the 2030 edition alongside Spain and Portugal, with the first three matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
### Tunisia
Tunisia also secured qualification with two matches remaining in Group H. A late winner from Mohamed Ben Romdhane and strong goalkeeping from Aymen Dahmen against Equatorial Guinea sealed their seventh finals appearance, though they have never progressed past the group stage.
### Algeria
Algeria secured their spot with a 3-0 win over Somalia on Thursday, thanks to a brace from Mohamed Amoura and a goal from captain Riyad Mahrez. The result extended their lead at the top of Group G to four points over Uganda with one match left. This will be Algeria’s fifth World Cup but their first since 2014.
### Asia
Six of eight direct qualification spots have been claimed, with one more to be decided through a regional playoff in November, followed by an intercontinental playoff.
### Australia
Australia clinched their place by coming from behind to defeat Saudi Arabia in Jeddah in June. Connor Metcalfe's equalizer before halftime and Mitch Duke's winner early in the second half secured the victory. After earlier struggles against Bahrain and Indonesia, Australia finished strongly with wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia, earning their sixth consecutive finals appearance.
### Iran
Iran twice fought back to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in March, with Mehdi Taremi scoring both goals. Since their debut in 1978, Iran has not advanced past the group stage. Their most memorable moment came in 1998 with a 2-1 win over the USA, a match that was repeated in the last tournament.
Read next
"Fluffed Up: How Modern Tennis Balls Lead to Frustration and Injury"
Daniil Medvedev quickly realized he was in a difficult position at Roland Garros. Facing Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the opening round, he struggled to find his rhythm.
With his chances of progressing in one of the sport’s most prestigious events slipping away, the 29-year-old decided on an unusual
Manchester bids heartfelt farewell to beloved boxer Ricky 'the people's champion' Hatton
Thousands Gather in Manchester to Honor Ricky Hatton, Former World Champion Boxer
A large crowd filled the streets of Manchester on Friday to celebrate the life of Ricky Hatton, the former world champion boxer who passed away last month at the age of 46.
Hatton was widely admired in the
Heightened security and political strain loom over crucial Norway vs. Israel World Cup match
This will be the most heavily secured sports event in Norway since the 1994 Winter Olympics. Strict security measures are in place across Oslo, with a no-fly zone enforced over Ullevål Stadium. Amid the heightened precautions, it might be easy to overlook that Norway’s national team is close to