FIFA World Cup 2026: Every Team That Has Secured a Spot So Far
- Thirteen teams have already punched their tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as of September 4, 2025
- The Black Stars of Ghana were left frustrated as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Chad, despite leading for most of the match
- Lionel Messi could contest his last international tournament with the Argentine national football team at next year's tournament
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The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up across Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, North America, and Oceania, with 13 nations already securing their spots in the tournament.
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Argentina emerged victorious, defeating France 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022.
Source: Getty Images
According to the ESPN, Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María gave Argentina an early advantage, with their goals putting the team 2-0 up. France struggled to create chances in the first half and did not register a shot until after the 70th minute.
However, a series of substitutions injected new energy into the French side. In the 80th minute, Randal Kolo Muani was fouled in the penalty area by Nicolás Otamendi, allowing Kylian Mbappé to convert the spot-kick.
Mbappé then struck again less than two minutes later, levelling the score at 2-2 and sending the match into extra time.
In extra time, Messi, who recently saw his MLS record surpassed by Son Heung-min, scored his second goal in the 108th minute to restore Argentina’s lead, only for France to respond with a second penalty in the 115th minute after Mbappé’s shot struck Gonzalo Montiel’s arm.
Mbappé completed a historic hat-trick, becoming only the second player to score three goals in a World Cup final, after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966. With the score tied at 3-3, the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout.
Argentina scored all their penalties, winning 4-2 and claiming their third World Cup title, their first since 1986. Remarkably, they became only the second team, after Spain in 2010, to lift the trophy despite losing their opening match of the tournament.
How many teams have qualified for World Cup 2026?
As of September 4, 2025, 13 teams have secured their World Cup 2026 places, including La Albiceleste, as Inter Miami's Lionel Messi is likely to contest his last international tournament at Canada, USA, Mexico 2026.
The 13 qualified teams so far include nations from South America and Asia, along with the three host countries, but no African team has secured a spot yet.
However, Morocco, Gabon, Algeria, Tunisia, and Ghana could pick their tickets during the September World Cup qualifiers.
According to Flashscore, the Black Stars were held to a 1-1 draw against Chad on Thursday, September 4, but remain top of Group 1 with 16 points after seven matches.
Meanwhile, these are the 13 teams that have secured their spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far:
1. USA
2. Canada
3. Mexico
4. Argentina
Source: Getty Images
5. Brazil
6. Japan
7. New Zealand
8. Uzbekistan
9. South Korea
10. Iran
11. Jordan
12. Australia
13. Ecuador
Iran's World Cup fate
YEN.com.gh previously examined Iran’s 2026 World Cup prospects following Donald Trump’s travel bans, which could impact their entry into the United States for the tournament.
Iran secured its place in the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on March 25 of this year, thanks to a brace from striker Mehdi Taremi.
Source: YEN.com.gh
