A dramatic night of global qualifying for the 2026 World Cup closed with history made on multiple continents. With 42 of the 48 teams now confirmed for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the race delivered everything late winners, heartbreak, and unprecedented achievements.
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Europe produced the loudest drama. Scotland sealed their first World Cup appearance since 1998 after a breathtaking 4-2 win over Denmark in Glasgow. Deep into stoppage time, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean delivered two stunning goals that lifted Scotland from elimination threats to group winners. Captain Andy Robertson called it “one of the craziest games,” celebrating a moment generations of Scottish fans had waited for.
Austria also claimed their ticket with a late equaliser against Bosnia. Michael Gregoritsch’s 77th-minute finish secured the point needed to top Group H. For veteran Marko Arnautovic, it marked the end of an 18-year wait to finally reach a World Cup.
Spain and Switzerland handled business with draws that kept them atop their groups, while Belgium hammered Liechtenstein 7-0 with Jeremy Doku leading the charge. Wales, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Bosnia, and North Macedonia all dropped into the playoffs, leaving UEFA with four remaining World Cup spots still up for grabs.
Across the Atlantic, an emotional breakthrough unfolded. Curacao, with a population of just 156,000, became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup after surviving a tense 0-0 draw in Jamaica. A stoppage-time Jamaican penalty initially threatened to end their dreams, but VAR overturned the call in one of the most dramatic moments of CONCACAF qualifying. Haiti, battling unthinkable turmoil at home, also booked a place after beating Nicaragua 2-0, securing their first World Cup appearance since 1974. Panama joined them after a dominant 3-0 win over El Salvador.
Suriname and Jamaica still have a lifeline through the inter-confederation playoffs.
Asia delivered its own late-night twist. Iraq claimed a 2-1 win over the UAE at a charged Basra International Stadium to secure a playoff place. A 17th-minute-of-stoppage-time penalty from Amir Al-Ammari kept their World Cup dream alive and pushed the nation one step closer to ending a 40-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
Africa’s qualifiers continued their strong run into 2026, with powerhouses like Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria already through, joined by Cape Verde, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, and Ivory Coast. New Zealand secured Oceania’s spot, and South America remained steady with Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay all locked in.
With just six teams left to join the final list and the draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington, DC, the stage is nearly set for the largest and most diverse World Cup in history.
