The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is underway. With less than 300 days to go before the tournament kicks off for the first time across United States, Mexico, and Canada, excitement is building ahead of the June 11 opener at Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca. This edition promises to be unforgettable: 48 teams, over 100 matches, and a revamped format that expands qualification spots for every confederation.

Among European fans, the big question is how many direct tickets UEFA will have and how its qualification process will unfold.

The new 2026 World Cup format

The tournament will feature 12 groups of four teams each. The top two in every group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32. From there, straight knockouts will decide the path to the July 19 final. With 104 matches in total, it will be the largest World Cup in history.

The distribution of slots has changed significantly: Asia (8+1), Africa (9+1), Concacaf (6+2), Conmebol (6+1), Oceania (1+1), and Europe (16 direct spots). This makes UEFA the confederation with the largest representation in the new format.

Europe chasing 16 tickets

European qualifiers began in March 2025 with 12 groups of four or five teams each. The group winners will secure direct tickets to the World Cup. The process wraps up in November 2025, finalizing the first 12 representatives from the continent.

The remaining four spots will be decided in March 2026 through playoffs. Sixteen teams will take part: all group runners-up plus the four best-ranked nations from the Nations League that didn’t qualify directly. Each playoff path will feature single-leg semifinals and a final, with the winners earning a World Cup berth.

The September international window is already shaping up as decisive, with high-profile clashes such as Bulgaria vs Spain, Netherlands vs Poland, Slovakia vs Germany, Ukraine vs France, Italy vs Estonia, and Hungary vs Portugal, among others. These matches could start defining the fate of Europe’s biggest sides.

Teams already qualified

So far, 13 nations have booked their place. The hosts Mexico, United States, and Canada are joined by powerhouses like Argentina, Brazil, and Japan. From Asia, South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Australia are already through, while New Zealand represents Oceania and Ecuador comes in from South America.

Europe’s road will be the toughest, with giants like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, England, and Portugal battling for spots in a World Cup that promises to be a turning point in football history.