The list of teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup is complete

The lineup for the 2026 World Cup is now complete, following a day of thrilling playoffs that saw the final two spots decided, bringing the race for qualification to the biggest edition in the tournament's history to a close. Iraq secured their return to the World Cup after a long absence, defeating Bolivia 2-1 in a captivating match held in Mexico. This victory marks their second appearance in the finals, following their participation in 1986. The "Lions of Mesopotamia" triumphed thanks to a balanced performance that combined defensive solidity with attacking efficiency, confirming their readiness to return to the global stage. In the same playoff, the Democratic Republic of Congo snatched their qualification spot with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Jamaica, returning to the finals after a 52-year absence, since their sole appearance in 1974 as Zaire. This qualification is the culmination of a long journey of development that has brought the Congolese national team back into the continental and international spotlight. The competition had already seen four teams qualify through the European playoffs. Bosnia and Herzegovina eliminated Italy, while the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Sweden secured their places after defeating Denmark, Kosovo, and Poland respectively, thus completing the list of participants in the global event. The upcoming World Cup will be held in a new and unprecedented format, featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups. This move aims to broaden the competition and provide greater opportunities for teams from different continents. The draw resulted in some balanced groups and others that are considered highly competitive. Group A includes Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and the Czech Republic, while Group B features Canada, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Switzerland. Group C promises a strong clash between Brazil and Morocco, while Group D comprises the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. Group E includes Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast, while Group F features the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia. In Group G, all eyes will be on Belgium as they face Egypt, while Group H features Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Group I appears to be one of the toughest, bringing together France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, while Group J includes Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan. In Group K, Portugal will compete against DR Congo and Colombia, and Group L comprises England, Croatia, and Ghana. Thus, fans are anticipating an exceptional World Cup, given the diversity of footballing styles and the broadening scope of competition, promising what could be the most exciting tournament in the history of the game.