2026 World Cup Qualifying (Live Updates)
Live updated World Cup 2026 Qualifying Models: Note: All models use set FIFA Rankings based on the most current rankings. Some teams may be shown as automatically through to a given round, but this is only using current FIFA rankings. Changes in rankings will affect models. AFC (8 Direct, 1 Playoff) Round 1 The bottom 20 ranked teams play in home-and-away head-to-head matchups. Winners advance to Rd 2 Round 2 Remaining 36 teams (Top 26 ranked + 10 Rd 1 winners) drawn into 9 groups of 4. Play a double round robin. Top 2 finishers in each group advance to Rd 3 Round 3 Remaining 18 teams (Top 2 from each Rd 2 group) drawn into 3 groups of 6. Play a double round robin. Top 2 finishers in each group qualify directly to World Cup. 3rd/4th place finishers in each group advance to Rd 4 Round 4 Remaining 6 teams (3rd/4th place finishers from each Rd 3 group) drawn into 2 groups of 3. Play single round robin at neutral site. Winner of each group qualifies directly to World Cup. 2nd pl
