What's happened
African teams Morocco and Tunisia have secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup, while South Africa and Nigeria face critical qualification matches. In South America, Bolivia and Colombia are vying for playoff spots, with Venezuela's coaching overhaul following a defeat. Qualification races are intense across regions.
What's behind the headline?
The qualification process reveals regional disparities and strategic shifts. African teams like Morocco and Tunisia have secured their spots early, reflecting strong continental performances and strategic investments. South Africa's lead in Group C demonstrates effective home advantage, but Nigeria's recent draw complicates their path. The sacking of Venezuela's coach indicates internal turmoil following a heavy defeat, highlighting how coaching stability impacts qualification chances.
The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has increased pressure on teams like Venezuela, which now face heightened scrutiny and the need for restructuring. Meanwhile, South American teams Bolivia and Colombia are fighting for the remaining playoff spots, with Bolivia's qualification for the intercontinental playoffs marking a significant achievement.
European qualifiers remain highly competitive, with no teams yet confirmed, underscoring the depth of European football. The upcoming matches in October will be decisive, especially for teams like Nigeria and Egypt, which are close to securing their spots.
Overall, the qualification campaigns are shaping up to be highly competitive, with regional dynamics and coaching changes playing crucial roles. The next few months will determine the final lineup for the 2026 World Cup, with many teams still in the race and the expanded format promising a more inclusive tournament.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports Morocco and Tunisia have secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup, highlighting their strong qualifying campaigns. The article also details South Africa's current lead in Group C after a draw with Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of upcoming matches for both teams. Meanwhile, Nigeria remains in contention but faces a challenging schedule. The report notes Egypt's progress and the importance of their remaining fixtures.
AP News provides insight into the African qualification race, emphasizing Morocco and Tunisia's confirmed qualification and South Africa's current top position in Group C. It highlights Nigeria's struggles and the ongoing efforts of other African nations like Senegal and Egypt. The article underscores the significance of recent results and upcoming fixtures.
Contrastingly, Al Jazeera's coverage of the South American qualifiers focuses on Bolivia's qualification for the intercontinental playoffs and Venezuela's coaching upheaval following a heavy defeat. It discusses the regional qualification landscape, including the progress of teams like Colombia and the challenges faced by others such as Peru and Chile. The article also touches on the broader global qualification process, including the European and Asian campaigns, and the upcoming draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington.
Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of the qualification process, highlighting regional successes, ongoing battles, and the strategic importance of coaching stability and match outcomes. The stories collectively underscore the high stakes and competitive nature of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
How we got here
The 2026 World Cup qualification process involves multiple regional groups, with African and South American teams making significant progress. Morocco's historic African semifinal run in 2022 boosted their confidence, and the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams increased stakes. Qualification campaigns are ongoing across Europe, Asia, and North America, with key matches determining final spots.
Go deeper
- How are Nigeria and South Africa's qualification campaigns progressing?
- What impact will Venezuela's coaching change have on their chances?
- Which European teams are most likely to qualify next?
More on these topics
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
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Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.
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Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Liverpool and the Egypt national team.
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Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, covering 163,610 square kilometres. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is also the northernmost point on the African continent.
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Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th