when does qualifying for world cup 2026 start

kneiom

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14-03-2025

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The FIFA World Cup 2026, a joint venture hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, promises to be a spectacle. But before the excitement of the main event, there's the crucial qualifying stage. So, when does the race to 2026 begin?

The Start of World Cup 2026 Qualifying: A Look at the Timeline

The precise start date for World Cup 2026 qualifying remains officially unannounced by FIFA. However, based on historical precedents and the anticipated timeline, we can expect the qualifying process to commence sometime in late 2023 or early 2024. FIFA typically announces the detailed schedule, including specific dates and match formats, well in advance. Keep an eye on official FIFA channels for confirmed dates.

Why the Delay? Factors Influencing the Start Date

Several factors influence the timing of the qualifying rounds. These include:

• FIFA's Official Schedule Release: FIFA meticulously plans its international football calendar. The official release of the World Cup qualifying schedule is paramount.
• Continental Confederation Schedules: Each continental confederation (CONMEBOL, UEFA, CAF, AFC, CONCACAF, OFC) sets its own qualifying format. Coordination between these confederations and FIFA is essential.
• International Match Calendar: The qualifying matches need to fit into the already busy international match calendar, ensuring there's sufficient space and avoiding clashes with other major tournaments.

Understanding the Qualifying Process

The qualifying process is complex and varies significantly depending on the continental confederation. Generally, it involves:

• Group Stages: Teams within a confederation are divided into groups, playing home and away matches.
• Play-off Rounds: The top teams from the group stages advance to knockout or play-off rounds to determine the final qualifiers.
• Inter-Confederation Play-offs (potentially): Some confederations might have play-off matches against teams from other confederations. This is less common but a potential scenario.

How Many Teams Qualify?

The expanded 48-team format for the 2026 World Cup means more teams will qualify. The allocation of qualifying slots across different confederations is yet to be finalized by FIFA, but it's expected that each confederation will receive a larger number of automatic qualifying spots compared to the previous World Cups.

Staying Updated: Where to Find Official Information

For the most up-to-date and accurate information on the start date and full qualifying schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026, regularly check these resources:

• FIFA.com: The official FIFA website is the primary source for announcements.
• Your National Team's Website/Federation: Check the website of your country's football federation for news and updates specific to your team.
• Reputable Sports News Outlets: Reputable international sports news outlets will also cover major announcements.

The journey to the 2026 World Cup is an exciting one. While the exact start date remains pending official confirmation, expect the qualifying rounds to begin sometime between late 2023 and early 2024. Stay tuned for further updates from FIFA!