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
Raducanu's Journey from Rome to French Open Fitness Challenge Raises Future Questions
Emma Raducanu was among the first to pass through the imposing gates of the Foro Italico this year. She arrived in Rome ahead of schedule, keen to assess her fitness and readiness for elite competition during a series of practice sessions on the tournament’s heavy red‑clay courts. As
Winter Paralympics athletes furious over schedule as massive thaw disrupts events
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, the thaw has arrived. Daytime temperatures are climbing into the double‑digit Celsius range, causing snow to melt from the slopes and the “torrenti” of runoff to begin flowing again.
Usually a period when snowfall can be at its peak, the region has seen none since
France to don pale blue kit in England clash amid looming kit dispute
England’s Six Nations showdown in Paris on Saturday might turn into a comedy of errors as France prepare to sport a commemorative pale‑blue jersey that could conflict with the white uniform worn by Steve Borthwick’s team.
Fabian Galthié’s side has announced it will wear the anniversary