A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

On Tuesday, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland and Austria secured Europe’s remaining automatic spots.

A total of 43 teams will earn places through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March in Mexico. The three host countries automatically qualify.

The breakdown

Asia has eight direct places and one in the intercontinental playoff.

Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff.

North and Central America and the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs.

South America has six direct

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