England have booked their place at the 2026 World Cup, but what’s at stake and who else could join them in November’s qualifiers?

A total of 28 teams are now certain of their place, including the holders Argentina and World Cup debutants Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

However, there remain 20 spots still to be claimed, with the majority of those coming from Europe.

Scotland have everything to play for when they travel to Greece, looking to set up a “cup final” and possible winner-takes-all encounter against Denmark in the second of this month’s pivotal qualifiers.

Wales face crucial games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia, needing to win both to guarantee the runner-up spot in Group J.

France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal can each secure spots with victory in their next game, but Italy are in serious danger of ending up in the play-offs in March.

Italy are three points behind Norway in Group I. Although the Azzurri still have to host the Scandinavians in their final group game, they have a vastly inferior goal difference and will also be acutely aware that they have missed the last two World Cups after play-off defeats.

Meanwhile, Croatia are all but there, sitting three points above the Czech Republic with a far superior goal difference and a game in hand.

Joint-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States were all granted automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan have already qualified from Asia.

Oceania’s one direct qualification spot has been taken by New Zealand.

Tunisia and Morocco were the first two African sides to go through, and they have been joined by Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and South Africa – who will play in their first World Cup since hosting in 2010.

Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia are the other South American nations currently guaranteed a place.

While they have not qualified for the tournament in full, Bolivia and New Caledonia are two of the six nations confirmed to take part in the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.

Teams through to 2026 World Cup

Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States

Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan

Europe: England

Oceania: New Zealand

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay