How many spots does each continent get in the 2026 World Cup?
Quick Answer
UEFA (Europe) gets 16 spots, CAF (Africa) 9, AFC (Asia) 8+1 playoff, CONMEBOL (South America) 6+1 playoff, CONCACAF (North/Central America) 6+1 playoff, OFC (Oceania) 1+1 playoff, plus 2 intercontinental playoff spots. Total: 48 teams.
Detailed Explanation
The expansion from 32 to 48 teams has significantly increased the quota for every confederation. Europe still holds the most spots with 16 (up from 13), while Africa sees the biggest proportional increase to 9 (from 5). Asia jumps to 8+1 (from 4+1), reflecting the continent's growing football development. South America retains strong representation at 6+1 (from 4+1). The host nations (USA, Mexico, Canada) qualify automatically from CONCACAF's allocation. The intercontinental playoff tournament determines the remaining spots.
📌Key Points
- 1UEFA 16, CAF 9, AFC 8+1, CONMEBOL 6+1, CONCACAF 6+1, OFC 1+1
- 22 additional spots decided by intercontinental playoffs
- 3Every confederation gained spots compared to the 32-team format
- 4Host nations (USA, Mexico, Canada) auto-qualify from CONCACAF quota
📜Related Rules
Why FIFA expanded the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams. History of tournament growth, reasons for expansion, confederation quotas, and format debates.
Learn how the FIFA World Cup is structured with group stages, knockout rounds, and the path to the final.