As the 2026 FIFA World Cup edges closer, the qualification battles across continents have delivered drama, heartbreak, and triumphs that set the stage for next summer's spectacular tournament hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. On June 10, 2025, pivotal matches in Asia, South America, and beyond confirmed some teams' places while leaving others still fighting for a chance to shine on the world stage.
In Asia, Iran cemented their dominance in Group A with a commanding 3-0 victory over North Korea at Tehran's Azadi Stadium. Despite North Korea's valiant efforts, the match was a tough farewell to their 2026 World Cup hopes, as they ended the qualifiers without a single win. The first half remained goalless, but the game shifted dramatically after North Korea’s Kye Tam was sent off with a second yellow card, reducing his team to ten men. Iran capitalized swiftly: Mohammad Mohebi broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, followed by a quick strike from Mehdi Taremi three minutes later. Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh sealed the victory in stoppage time, ensuring Iran topped Group A with seven wins, two draws, and just one loss, securing direct qualification to the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan clinched their first-ever World Cup berth with a 0-0 draw against UAE, finishing second in Group A behind Iran. United Arab Emirates and Qatar, finishing third and fourth respectively, will continue their quest through the fourth round of qualifiers, where two groups of three teams will battle for the remaining slots.
North Korea's failure marks their fourth consecutive unsuccessful campaign to reach the World Cup, highlighting the challenges the reclusive nation faces on the international football stage. Their campaign concluded with three draws and seven losses, the only team in Group A without a win.
Turning to East Asia, Japan showcased their offensive prowess in a resounding 6-0 victory over Indonesia in Osaka, rounding off their flawless qualifying campaign as Group C winners. Despite fielding a relatively inexperienced squad featuring only three players with more than ten international caps and two debutants in defender Junnosuke Suzuki and winger Shunsuke Mito, the Samurai Blue displayed relentless attacking football.
Daichi Kamada, fresh off an FA Cup triumph with Crystal Palace, was the star of the show, netting twice. He opened the scoring with a header from a Mito cross in the 15th minute and added a composed finish just before halftime after a slick combination with Takefusa Kubo. Kubo himself was instrumental, scoring the second goal and providing two assists later in the match. Ryoya Morishita volleyed in Japan's fourth goal, while Shuto Machino and substitute Mao Hosoya completed the scoring.
Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu has set an ambitious target for the team: to win the World Cup in North America. He emphasized the importance of continued improvement, stating, “The challenge for the players is to break past their limits and grow. They did that in training and in the game, where they were never satisfied and always looking for the next goal and the next chance, which is great to see.” The team is preparing for several friendlies against non-Asian opponents, including away matches against Mexico and the United States, to sharpen their skills ahead of the tournament.
Indonesia, despite the heavy defeat, remain in the hunt for World Cup qualification after advancing to the next stage of Asian qualifiers. Coach Patrick Kluivert praised Japan’s quality, calling it “amazing” and acknowledged the learning opportunity for his side. Indonesia captain Jay Idzes highlighted the gap in experience, noting the difference in club-level competition between the nations but expressed optimism about their potential to reach higher standards.
In South America, the drama intensified as Brazil and Ecuador secured their spots at the 2026 World Cup, joining Argentina, who had already qualified earlier in the year. Brazil edged Paraguay 1-0 in Sao Paulo, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. scoring a crucial goal on the stroke of halftime during the home debut of new coach Carlo Ancelotti. The victory extended Brazil’s record as the only nation to have played in every World Cup, marking their 23rd appearance.
Ecuador earned their second consecutive World Cup ticket with a goalless draw against Peru. Despite being reduced to ten men after midfielder Alan Franco’s second yellow card, Ecuador held firm, effectively ending Peru’s qualification hopes. Peru now sits six points behind Venezuela, who occupy the playoff spot.
Uruguay also moved closer to qualification with a 2-0 home win over Venezuela at Estadio Centenario, snapping a four-match winless streak. Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian De Arrascaeta were the scorers, with Uruguay needing just one point from their final two fixtures to guarantee a spot. Argentina secured a 1-1 draw with Colombia thanks to an 81st-minute equalizer from Thiago Almada, averting back-to-back defeats to their South American rivals.
Chile’s World Cup dreams ended following a 2-0 loss in Bolivia, prompting coach Ricardo Gareca’s resignation. The South American qualifiers remain fiercely competitive, with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia still battling for the remaining automatic spots and Venezuela aiming for a playoff berth.
On the global stage, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historic as the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from the 32-team format used since 1998. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, culminating at MetLife Stadium in New York City. UEFA will have 16 guaranteed slots, CAF nine, AFC eight, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF at least six each, and, for the first time, the Oceania Football Confederation will have a guaranteed slot. Two additional places will be decided through intercontinental playoffs.
European qualifiers are underway, with powerhouses such as Spain, Germany, England, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy expected to contend for spots. Spain, the reigning European champions, are among the favorites to lift the World Cup trophy, while England embarks on a new era under Thomas Tuchel. France’s campaign will be marked by the final tournament under Didier Deschamps, with hopes high for a strong finish. Italy aims to return after missing the last two World Cups, led by coach Luciano Spalletti.
With the qualification phase heating up worldwide, the stage is set for an exciting buildup to the 2026 World Cup. Teams that have secured their places are already planning friendlies and training camps, while others prepare for decisive playoff battles. The expanding format promises a diverse and thrilling tournament, celebrating the global passion for football.
