when will world cup qualifiers start for 2026

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14-03-2025

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, a joint venture hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, promises to be a spectacle. But before the main event, the crucial qualifying rounds will determine which nations earn their place on the grand stage. So, when do these qualifiers begin?

The 2026 World Cup Qualification Process: A Complex Timeline

Unlike previous World Cups, the 2026 tournament will feature an expanded 48-team field. This significantly alters the qualification process, making it more intricate and spread out. FIFA hasn't announced specific start dates for all confederations yet, but we can make some educated predictions based on past qualification cycles and the sheer number of teams involved.

Confederation-Specific Timelines (Projected)

The qualification process is handled by each of FIFA's six continental confederations:

• AFC (Asia): The Asian qualifiers are expected to commence sometime in late 2023 or early 2024. The sheer number of Asian nations vying for a limited number of spots means a longer and more complex qualification process. Expect multiple rounds of matches over a considerable period.

• CAF (Africa): African qualification usually starts a year or more before the World Cup itself. Therefore, we anticipate the CAF qualifiers to begin in late 2023 or early 2024. The exact format is yet to be revealed by CAF.

• CONCACAF (North & Central America & Caribbean): As co-hosts, the USA, Canada, and Mexico automatically qualify. The remaining CONCACAF nations will battle for the remaining qualification spots. We anticipate the start of these qualifiers sometime in late 2023 or early 2024. Details concerning the format are still pending.

• CONMEBOL (South America): South American qualifying has historically been a round-robin format. Expect the CONMEBOL qualifiers to kick off around late 2023 or early 2024, following a similar pattern to previous cycles.

• OFC (Oceania): The Oceania Football Confederation typically has a preliminary stage followed by a playoff. We project the OFC qualifiers to commence in mid-to-late 2023. The winners will then likely face a CONCACAF team in an inter-confederation playoff.

• UEFA (Europe): European qualification is usually the most extensive. Expect the UEFA qualifiers to commence in late March or early April of 2024, stretching over several months.

Important Note: These are projected start dates. Keep an eye on official announcements from FIFA and each confederation for precise dates and formats.

Where to Find the Latest Updates

The best way to stay informed about the official start dates for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers is to:

• Visit the FIFA website: This is the official source for all World Cup-related information.
• Follow your confederation's official channels: Check the websites and social media pages of the relevant confederation for your country.
• Follow reputable sports news outlets: Major sports news organizations regularly provide updates on World Cup qualifiers.

The road to the 2026 World Cup is a long one, full of anticipation and thrilling matches. While precise start dates remain under wraps, the coming months will provide clarity. Be sure to stay tuned for official announcements and get ready for the excitement of the qualifying rounds!