Algeria have become the 20th team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – and at least seven more of the 48 places will be decided this week.
Asia and Africa are where all of the latest guaranteed spots will come from, with two from Asia and five more from Africa up for grabs.
Mohamed Salah scored twice on Wednesday as Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 to seal their place at a fourth World Cup.
Algeria joined them on Thursday with Riyad Mahrez scoring in a 3-0 Group G win over bottom side Somalia.
It will be their first World Cup appearance since 2014, when they beat South Korea and drew with Russia before losing 2-1 after extra-time to Germany in the last 16.
While no countries in North and Central America or Europe are guaranteed to qualify this month, it is mathematically possible for some countries to do so.
England are in the strongest position from Europe to qualify. A win against Latvia next Tuesday could guarantee their place if other results in the group go their way.
Joint hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States were all granted automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan have already qualified from Asia.
Oceania’s one direct qualification spot has been taken by New Zealand.
Tunisia and Morocco join Egypt and Algeria, with four African teams so far having confirmed qualification.
Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia are the South American nations currently guaranteed a place.
Uzbekistan and Jordan will also be playing at a World Cup finals for the first time.
While they have not qualified for the tournament in full, Bolivia and New Caledonia are two of the six nations confirmed to take part in the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.
Teams through to 2026 World Cup
Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States.
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan.
Oceania: New Zealand.
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay.
Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia.
Read the full article here