The 2026 World Cup qualifiers are ending around the world, however, some countries will only know if they will be in the World Cup in March next year, when the recap for the world’s leading national team tournament.
Then the Sporting News Explains how recap for the 2026 World Cup works.
Last round of the South American qualifiers.
Only the seventh vacancy in play, the recap.
Games of this dispute:
Venezuela x Colombia
Bolivia x BrazilColombia and Brazil are already classified.
Bolivia must win and cheer for Venezuela not to win.
If Bolivia ties,… pic.twitter.com/29v6dIFQOV
– Vitor Sergio Rodrigues VSR (@vorsergio) September 9, 2025
How does recap for the 2026 World Cup works?
Teams who are unable to get a direct vacancy through the qualifiers, in addition to the hosts, will have to run for recap, the last chance to get a place for the World Cup.
In total, six teams will compete for recap:
- Two from North America
- One from Africa
- One from Asia
- One from South America
- One from Oceania
The disputes take place on March 2026, on the 23rd and 31st, already in the countries that host the Cup – United States, Mexico and Canada.
The clashes will be organized using the FIFA ranking. The two best classifieds advance to the final phase, while the other four face in semifinals, with clashes defined via draw.
The semifinals winners face each other in a large “final” – and there will be a confrontation of these teams with the best ranked teams by the FIFA ranking to define the two teams that join those classified for the World Cup.
What selections are in the recap?
Asia (AFC)
Africa (CAF)
North America (Concacaf)
- Two unnatural vacancies
South America (Conmebol)
- Vacancy not yet defined (it will be Venezuela or Bolivia)
Oceania (OFC)
Which countries are already classified for the 2026 World Cup?
Countries-sheds
- USA
- Mexico
- Canada
Asia (AFC)
- New Zealand
- Australia
- South Korea
- Iran
- Japan
- Jordan
- Uzbekistan
Africa (CAF)
South America (Conmebol)
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Ecuador
- Uruguay
- Colombia
- Paraguay
