This Thursday’s victory of the national team Algeria 0-3 against Somalia has meant the classification of the team from Riyad Mahrez for the 2026 World Cup and, with it, the confirmation of ticket number 20 of the 48 available for the event of United States, Mexico and Canada.
Algeria is the fourth country, after Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in achieving a pass to the next final phase of the World Cup, in which the Egyptian team had not appeared since Russia 2018.
CAF grants 9 direct places, in addition to a place in the international play-offs. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) has already completed its qualifying rounds, with the classification of the current world champion, Argentina -which won its third Cup in Qatar 2022 (after those of 1978 and 1986)-, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia. In addition to these six direct places, Conmebol had a play-off place, which was won Boliviafinishing seventh in the table.
New Zealand obtained the only direct position in the Ocean Federation (OFC)while New Caledonia -who recently debuted in the U-20 World Cup in Chile- will participate in the international play-off with the dream of also participating in an absolute World Cup for the first time.
Asia grants eight direct places, of which six have already been awarded (Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan and Australia). It also grants a pass for the play-offs.
Europe (UEFA) It is in the middle of the qualifying phase and, for the moment, it is the only confederation that does not have a guaranteed team.
The North, Central America and Caribbean Confederation (Concacaf) It is also in the middle of the playoffs, but, unlike Europe, it has the three hosts already classified ex officio, Canada, United States and Mexico.
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Three other teams will obtain a direct place and two more will go to the play-offs. Together with the co-organizers (United States, Mexico and Canada), The teams that have already achieved their place in the 2026 World Cup are:
Conmebol (South American Football Confederation): Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia.
CAF (Confederation of African Football): Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria.
AFC (Asian Football Federation): Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan and Australia.
OFC (Oceanic Football Federation): New Zealand.
