when do world cup 2026 qualifiers start

wmissh

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14-03-2025

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The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is set to be the biggest and most exciting tournament yet, with 48 teams vying for glory. Naturally, the question on everyone's mind is: when do the qualifiers start?

The World Cup 2026 Qualification Process: A Timeline

Unfortunately, there isn't one single start date for World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The process varies considerably depending on the confederation (continental governing body) a nation belongs to. FIFA will announce the exact schedule for each confederation closer to the start of the qualifying rounds.

However, we can provide a general timeframe and what to expect:

General Timeline (Subject to Change):

• Late 2023 - Early 2024: We expect announcements from FIFA regarding the specific qualifying formats for each confederation. More details on the number of teams qualifying from each region, the structure of the qualifying matches, and dates will be announced then. This is the time to follow FIFA and your national team's official channels closely.
• 2023-2025: The bulk of qualifying matches will take place across this period. The exact dates within this timeframe will depend on the specific confederation and their qualifying structure. Many regional qualifying rounds will be played throughout 2024 and 2025.
• Late 2025: The final qualifying matches should conclude by the end of 2025. This will determine the final 48 teams that will compete in the World Cup itself.

Confederation Specifics:

Each of the six continental confederations will run its own qualifying tournament. These will differ in format and scheduling:

• AFC (Asia): Asia typically has a multi-stage qualifying process, often involving group stages and knockout rounds. Expect a large number of matches spanning several months.
• CAF (Africa): Africa's qualifying often involves preliminary rounds, group stages, and a playoff system to determine the qualified teams. This can extend over a significant period.
• CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean): CONCACAF's qualifying is usually highly competitive, involving a Nations League system and then further qualifying rounds to solidify the final spots for the World Cup.
• CONMEBOL (South America): South America uses a round-robin format where each team plays every other team twice (home and away). This usually spans over two years.
• OFC (Oceania): Oceania often has a qualifying tournament involving several stages before a final playoff against a team from another confederation.
• UEFA (Europe): Europe's qualifying typically involves a series of group stages followed by playoff matches to determine which teams will advance. Due to the number of European teams, this is a complex and extensive process.

Where to Find the Most Up-to-Date Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the start dates and formats of World Cup 2026 qualifiers, it's best to consult these resources:

• FIFA's Official Website: This is the ultimate source for all things related to the World Cup.
• Your National Team's Website/Social Media: Your country's football association will announce qualifying schedules as they become available.

The anticipation is building! While the precise start dates are still to be announced, the journey to the World Cup 2026™ is about to begin. Keep your eyes peeled for official announcements from FIFA and your national team!