The 2026 World Cup is fast-approaching, and several teams from around the world have already booked their spots.England are getting closer to confirming their place after five wins from five under Thomas Tuchel so far.England crashed out of the 2022 World Cup to eventual runners-up FranceGetty World Cup host nations Canada, Mexico and the United States are all guaranteed their spot in the expanded FIFA showpiece.Japan became the first non-host team to qualify with three games to spare in the third round of Asian qualification.And other nations have quickly followed them.Defending champions Argentina and five-time winners Brazil are also set to be there.Jordan and Uzbekistan will be making their World Cup debuts next summer.Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?HostsCanadaMexicoUnited States of AmericaAFCAustraliaIranJapanJordanSouth KoreaUzbekistanCAFMoroccoTunisiaCONCACAFTBCCONMEBOLArgentinaBrazilColombiaEcuadorParaguayUruguayOFCNew ZealandUEFATBCPlay-offsTBCJapan have reached their eighth consecutive World CupGettyHow many qualify and how does it work?The 2026 World Cup will be the first in FIFA history to see 48 teams be part of the tournament next summer.Three of those are the hosts, Canada, Mexico and the USA, with a further 43 qualifying directly.The final two spots will come from the respective winners of the inter-confederation play-offs.The six play-off teams will be divided up by their FIFA World Ranking, with the top two seeds going straight into one of the two finals.AFC: eight direct slots and one play-off slot.CAF: nine direct slots and one play-off slot.CONCACAF: three direct slots, three host slots and two play-off slots.CONMEBOL: six direct slots and one play-off slot.OFC: one direct slot and one play-off slot.UEFA: 16 direct slots and zero play-off slots.There will be major changes from the World Cup in QatarWorld Cup 2026: DatesThe 2025/26 Premier League season will finish on Sunday, May 24 while the Champions League final will be held on Saturday, May 30.The 2026 World Cup will then get underway on Thursday, June 11, and run until the final on Sunday, July 19.FIFA is eager to keep the tournament’s ‘footprint’ to 57 days meaning there would be 16 days of preparation and then 39 days of competition.There will be 12 groups of four with the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the Round of 32.There will be games every day from June 11 to July 7 with a rest day on July 8 prior to the quarter-finals.June 24 to June 27 will see six games held each day.The semi-finals will be held on July 14 and July 15 and there will be a bronze medal match on July 18, the day before the final.