World Cup Qualifiers Nearing: Which National Team is Most Likely to Break Through and Secure the Final Ticket?

Introduction: The Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The excitement is building as national teams from across the globe continue to battle for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the World Cup approaches, the qualifiers have reached a crucial stage, and national teams are running out of time to secure their spots. With the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams for the first time in history, the stakes are higher than ever before.

However, even with more spots available, the competition remains fierce. Teams from all continents are giving their best to navigate the tough road ahead, and as the final matches of the qualifying rounds loom, the big question arises: Which teams are most likely to break through in the last stretch of qualification and secure their place in the 2026 World Cup?

In this article, we will examine the current landscape of the World Cup qualifiers, assess which nations still have the potential to make a late push, and analyze the teams who could surprise and punch their ticket to the 2026 tournament.

Section 1: The Format and Qualifying Landscape for 2026

1.1 Changes in the World Cup Qualification Format

The 2026 World Cup will mark a significant shift in the tournament’s structure. For the first time in history, the World Cup will feature 48 teams, up from the traditional 32. This means that more teams will qualify, providing greater opportunities for nations that have historically struggled to secure a spot.

Europe (UEFA) will have 16 teams qualifying, with many powerhouse nations looking to maintain their dominance.
Africa (CAF) will see 9 or 10 teams qualifying, depending on the results of the intercontinental playoffs.
Asia (AFC) will send 8 or 9 teams to the tournament, giving nations like Japan, South Korea, and Iran a strong chance.
South America (CONMEBOL) will send 6 or 7 teams, with traditional heavyweights such as Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay leading the pack.
North and Central America (CONCACAF) will have 6 teams qualifying, with the United States, Mexico, and Canada being the major contenders.
Oceania (OFC) will have one representative, likely determined by a playoff.

With the tournament expansion, the qualifying stages are both more competitive and more forgiving, as there are more spots available, but also greater pressure for teams to avoid slipping up in crucial moments.

1.2 The Qualifying Campaigns So Far

As the final stages of the qualifiers approach, many teams are still in contention for their World Cup tickets, while others are already battling for survival. The qualifiers have already seen their share of surprises, with some traditionally dominant nations struggling, while lesser-known teams have begun to emerge as potential contenders.

Let’s break down the qualification race across different regions and identify the teams that are most likely to secure a spot in 2026:

Section 2: Contenders to Watch in the Final Stretch of World Cup Qualifiers

2.1 Europe (UEFA) – The Big Guns and the Surprising Challengers

Europe’s qualification process has traditionally been one of the most competitive, with numerous top-tier teams vying for limited spots. The introduction of a larger number of qualifiers means that more teams from Europe will have a chance to make it to the tournament, but this does not make the journey any easier.

France, Germany, and Spain: These European powerhouses remain the favorites to secure their spots, with their deep talent pools and strong performances in recent international competitions. However, even these giants have faced challenges in qualification, with France in particular facing tough matches in the latter stages.
Italy: The Azzurri, fresh off their Euro 2020 victory, have faced a major setback, failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, they are showing resilience under Roberto Mancini’s leadership and are determined to secure a spot this time around. Italy’s late run in the 2022 qualifiers makes them one of the teams to watch.
The Netherlands: After a disappointing qualification for the 2018 World Cup, the Dutch have made a strong comeback, showing impressive form under Louis van Gaal. Their group-stage performances in the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2020 demonstrate that they are in a good position to qualify.
Turkey: A team that has traditionally been on the fringes of qualifying for major tournaments, Turkey has begun to show its potential. With a new generation of talented players such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Yusuf Yazıcı, they are emerging as a team to watch in the final stages.

2.2 South America (CONMEBOL) – Brazil and Argentina Lead, but Who Else Will Join?

In South America, the qualification race is always intense. Brazil and Argentina have dominated the region in recent years, and both are highly likely to secure their places in 2026.

Brazil: The Seleção remains a formidable force in international football. With players like Neymar, Alisson Becker, and Vinícius Júnior, they are undoubtedly the favorites to qualify.
Argentina: Lionel Messi continues to inspire his team, and Argentina has shown great consistency in recent years. With the Copa América victory in 2021 and a strong qualifying campaign, they are set to return to the World Cup.
Uruguay: Uruguay’s path to qualification is more precarious. With Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani aging, they will need younger players to step up if they are to secure their spot. Diego Alonso’s managerial changes could lead to a fresh direction for the team.
Chile: The La Roja are struggling with the transition after the golden generation of players like Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez. While they still have a chance, their window to qualify may be closing.
Colombia: Colombia has struggled in recent years but remains a team full of individual talent. The likes of James Rodríguez and Radamel Falcao still have the ability to push the team into the final spots.

2.3 Africa (CAF) – A Hotly Contested Race for Limited Spots

Africa’s qualification campaign is always exciting, with 9 or 10 spots available for the 2026 tournament. The competition is fierce, with a host of teams vying for the coveted spots.

Senegal: As the current Africa Cup of Nations champions, Senegal is a leading contender for qualification. With players like Sadio Mané and Edouard Mendy, they have the talent to secure their place.
Nigeria: Despite some inconsistency in recent years, Nigeria remains one of the top teams in Africa. With players like Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi, they have a strong squad capable of qualifying.
Egypt: Mohamed Salah remains the star for Egypt, and with a solid qualifying campaign, they are favorites to qualify.
Ivory Coast and Cameroon: Both of these teams have quality squads and are expected to challenge for the spots in the final qualifiers.

Section 3: The Potential Surprise Packages

While the favorites in each region have the best chance of securing qualification, there are always teams that emerge as dark horses in the final stages of qualifying. Some teams may have underperformed in previous years but are now in a strong position to break through.

Australia: As one of the key teams in the AFC qualification group, Australia has often been a reliable contender. Their strong performances in previous qualifiers, alongside a stable of seasoned veterans, will make them a tough team to beat.
Costa Rica: Costa Rica has been a regular fixture at recent World Cups, and despite an aging squad, they are still capable of shocking higher-ranked teams.
Peru: Peru may have struggled at times, but their resilience and attacking play make them a formidable opponent in the South American qualifiers.

Conclusion: The Final Push for Qualification

As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers enter their final stages, the race for the remaining spots is heating up. While traditional powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, and France are still the favorites to secure their places, there are plenty of exciting battles to be had, and unexpected twists are always possible.

Teams like Italy, Turkey, and Nigeria will look to build momentum, while others such as Uruguay and Chile may face tough battles to avoid missing out on the global stage. With the expansion of the tournament, the pressure is on to secure those final spots, and the final months of qualification will surely provide plenty of drama and excitement.

The world will be watching closely to see which nations rise to the occasion and earn their place at the biggest sporting event on the planet. As the clock ticks down, the quest for the final tickets to 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be an unforgettable journey.