The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers are heating up as 211 national teams battle for 45 coveted spots (plus 3 host nations). With expanded slots for Africa, Asia, and CONCACAF, this guide breaks down the latest standings, key fixtures, and how to stream every match live—plus predictions for surprise qualifiers.2026 World Cup Qualifiers Format by ConfederationEach region has unique rules for the 48-team World Cup:Confederation Slots Qualification ProcessUEFA (Europe) 16 12 groups → winners + 4 best runners-up qualify; remaining 3 via playoffs.CAF (Africa) 9 (+1) 9 group winners qualify; 4 runners-up enter intercontinental playoffs.AFC (Asia) 8 (+1) 8 direct slots; 1 via playoff.CONMEBOL 6 (+1) Round-robin league → top 6 qualify; 7th to playoff.CONCACAF 6 (+1) Hexagonal final group → top 3 qualify; 4th–6th to playoffs.OFC (Oceania) 1 (+1) Winner qualifies; runner-up to playoff.Current WC Qualifiers Standings (July 2024)Key Highlights:CONMEBOL: Argentina leads; Brazil struggles at 4th after Neymar’s retirement.UEFA: France, England cruise; Italy faces pressure in Group C.AFC: Japan and South Korea dominate; Saudi Arabia vs. Australia battle heats up.CAF: Morocco tops Group E; Egypt and Senegal neck-and-neck.Standings Table (Top Teams):Confederation Leading Team Star Performer Next MatchCONMEBOL Argentina Lionel Messi (5 goals) vs. Uruguay, Sept 2024UEFA France Kylian Mbappé (7 goals) vs. Sweden, Oct 2024AFC Japan Kaoru Mitoma (4 goals) vs. Saudi Arabia, Nov 2024WC Qualifiers Schedule: Key DatesUEFA: Sept 5, 2024 – Nov 18, 2025 (Matchdays 1–10).CONMEBOL: Sept 2024 – Oct 2025 (18 rounds).AFC: Oct 2024 – Nov 2025 (Third Round groups).CAF: March 2025 – Nov 2025 (Group stage).Must-Watch Matches:Brazil vs. Argentina (Nov 2024) – Messi’s potential final qualifier.Italy vs. Ukraine (Oct 2024) – Decider for UEFA playoff spot.USA vs. Mexico (March 2025) – CONCACAF’s fiercest rivalry.How to Watch WC Qualifiers LiveFree Streams:UEFA: BBC iPlayer (UK), RAI Play (Italy).CONMEBOL: Telemundo (USA), DirecTV Sports (Latin America).Subscription Services:Paramount+ (U.S.): $5.99/month for CONMEBOL matches.ESPN+: $10.99/month for CONCACAF qualifiers.VPN Hack: Use NordVPN to access free streams from other countries (e.g., Canada’s CBC for UEFA games).Warning: Avoid illegal streams—ISPs in the U.S. and EU now issue fines up to $2,500.Teams Likely to Miss 2026 World CupItaly: Risky UEFA playoff path after 2022 shock exit.Chile: CONMEBOL’s crowded race leaves Alexis Sánchez’s squad vulnerable.Nigeria: Struggling in CAF Group C behind Rwanda.Top Scorers to WatchKylian Mbappé (France): 7 goals in 5 UEFA qualifiers.Lautaro Martínez (Argentina): 6 goals in CONMEBOL.Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): 5 goals despite team struggles.FAQsQ: When will the USMNT play their next qualifier?A: March 2025 vs. Costa Rica (CONCACAF Hexagonal).Q: How many teams automatically qualify from Africa?A: 9 group winners; 4 runners-up enter playoffs.Q: Can Cristiano Ronaldo still qualify with Portugal?A: Yes! Portugal leads UEFA Group B; Ronaldo has 4 goals.2026 World Cuphttps://www.wcqualifiers.com/World Cup Qualifiershttps://www.wcqualifiers.com/WC 2026https://www.wcqualifiers.com/
the Chinese men's national football team has only qualified for the FIFA World Cup once, in 2002. During that tournament, they were eliminated in the group stage without winning any matches, scoring any goals, or earning any points. The team has not qualified for the World Cup since then.The Chinese women's national football team, on the other hand, has had a more successful history in the FIFA Women's World Cup. They have participated in multiple tournaments, with their best performance being a runner-up finish in 1999.Predicting whether the Chinese national football team will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is challenging due to several factors. Historically, the team has struggled to compete at the highest level, with their only World Cup appearance being in 2002. However, China has been investing heavily in football development in recent years, including infrastructure, youth training programs, and the recruitment of foreign coaches and players to improve the domestic league.The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026 increases the number of Asian slots, which could improve China's chances of qualifying. However, the team still faces strong competition from other Asian powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, Iran, and Australia.Ultimately, whether China qualifies will depend on their performance in the Asian wc qualifiers, the development of their players, and the effectiveness of their football reforms. While the expanded format offers a better opportunity, consistent improvement and strong performances will be necessary for China to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.2026 World Cuphttps://www.wcqualifiers.com/wc qualifiershttps://www.wcqualifiers.com/
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have both had notable performances in the FIFA World Cup, but Messi's achievements in the tournament generally stand out more.Lionel Messi:World Cup Appearances: 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)Achievements:Winner: 2022 (Qatar)Runner-up: 2014 (Brazil)Golden Ball: 2014 (Best Player of the Tournament)Total Goals: 13 (as of 2022)Total Assists: 8 (as of 2022)Key Moments: Messi was instrumental in Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, scoring crucial goals and providing key assists throughout the tournament. He also won the Golden Ball in 2014, despite Argentina finishing as runners-up.Cristiano Ronaldo:World Cup Appearances: 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)Achievements:Best Finish: 4th place (2006)Total Goals: 8 (as of 2022)Total Assists: 2 (as of 2022)Key Moments: Ronaldo has had some memorable moments, such as his hat-trick against Spain in 2018, but Portugal has never reached the final during his tenure.Comparison:Titles: Messi won the World Cup in 2022, while Ronaldo has never won the tournament.Individual Awards: Messi has a Golden Ball (2014), while Ronaldo has not won any individual awards in the World Cup.Impact: Messi has generally had a more significant impact on his team's performance in the World Cup, especially in 2022 when he led Argentina to victory.Conclusion:Lionel Messi has performed better in the World Cup compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, both in terms of team success and individual accolades. Messi's crowning achievement came in 2022 when he led Argentina to win the World Cup, solidifying his legacy in the tournament.Will Messi play the 2026 World Cup? and Will Ronaldo be in the 2026 World Cup?WC 2026: Your go-to source for the latest 2026 World Cup news, match schedules, team insights, and exclusive coverage. Stay ahead with us!2026 World Cuphttps://www.wcqualifiers.com/