After an intense final round of qualification matches, the lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been finalized, featuring 48 teams ready to compete on the global stage.

In thrilling last-minute play-offs, Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Türkiye, Czechia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sweden secured their coveted spots, joining 42 other teams already qualified.

Graham Arnold, former coach of Australia’s Socceroos, has guided Iraq to its first World Cup in four decades, sparking jubilant celebrations among fans, particularly in Australia.

Iraq clinched the last available spot with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in Mexico on Wednesday, marking a return to the World Cup in Mexico, where they last appeared in 1986.

Sports analysts are applauding this achievement as the most significant moment in Iraq’s sports history in the past 40 years.

Arnold has set a milestone as the first Australian coach to lead teams in two men’s World Cups. Previously, he took Australia to the Round of 16 against the eventual champions, Argentina, at the Qatar 2022 tournament, and now he’s making history by coaching another nation’s team.

Elsewhere, the final play-offs today have revealed the Socceroos’ first match will be against 25th-ranked Türkiye, in their Group D opening match in Vancouver on 14 June.

It’s Türkiye’s first time qualifying for the World Cup since 2002, when they placed third, and the team’s third World Cup appearance since 1954.

They join Paraguay and the United States in Group D with the Socceroos.

Kosovo’s 1-0 loss to Türkiye meant they fell short ⁠of a historic debut at a major tournament, ‌having joined FIFA and UEFA fewer than 10 years ago.

Four-time World Cup champion Italy failed to qualify for their third consecutive tournament after going down 4-1 on penalties after their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina was tied 1-1 after extra time.

In the intercontinental playoffs, held in Mexico, DR Congo beat Jamaica 1-0 to take their place at the World Cup, before Iraq beat Bolivia.

Sweden qualified for the 48-team tournament after beating Poland 3-2, and Czechia beat Denmark 3-1 on penalties after their match was tied 2-2 after extra time.

Every team that’s playing in the 2026 World Cup

The tournament, to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico, will run from 11 June to 19 July.

GROUP A

Group A matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from 11 to 24 June.

Mexico

South Africa

South Korea

Czechia

GROUP B

Group B will play from 12 to 24 June.

Canada

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Qatar

Switzerland

GROUP C

Group C will play from 13 to 24 June.

Brazil

Morocco

Haiti

Scotland

GROUP D

Group D matches will be between 12 and 25 June.

USA

Paraguay

Australia

Türkiye

GROUP E

Group E will play from 14 to 25 June.

Germany

Curaçao

Ivory Coast

Ecuador

GROUP F

Group E will also compete from 14 to 25 June.

Netherlands

Japan

Sweden

Tunisia

GROUP G

Group G matches will be held between 15 and 26 June.

Belgium

Egypt

Iran

New Zealand

GROUP H

Group H will also play from between 15 and 26 June.

Spain

Cape Verde

Saudi Arabia

Uruguay

GROUP I

Group I matches will take place from 16 to 26 June.

France

Senegal

Iraq

Norway

GROUP J

Group J will compete from 16 to 27 June.

Argentina

Algeria

Austria

Jordan

GROUP K

Group K will play from 17 to 27 June.

Portugal

DR Congo

Uzbekistan

Colombia

GROUP L

Group L matches will also take place from 17 to 27 June.

England

Croatia

Ghana

Panama

Teams that make it out of their groups enter the knockout stages — the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

The final will be held in New York on 19 July.