Some of the top-ranked soccer countries from across the globe are looking to earn their spot in the 2026 World Cup.

For the playoff tournament teams, the confederation restrictions will be applied to all teams involved in the playoff, which would keep the host nations from drawing a team involved in the FIFA playoff tournament due to Jamaica and Suriname being involved as Concacaf teams.

The draw for UEFA's World Cup qualification playoffs is set for Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 a.m. ET. UEFA's World Cup qualifying playoffs will be contested on March 26 (semifinals) and March 31 (finals). Twelve European countries have already clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup:

42 teams have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 33 of them are ranked in the Top 50. Spain has topped the rankings since overtaking Argentina in September 2025. Four of the remaining six spots in the World Cup will be filled by nations from the European playoffs.

Mauricio Pochettino will learn his first ever World Cup group opponents as a coach on Friday when the World Cup draw takes center stage in Washington, D.C.

Germany will host the 2029 European Championship in women's soccer, promising record revenue and attendances to drive forward the game's development on and off the field. UEFA voted overwhelmingly Wednesday for the Germany bid in a three-candidate contest and opted for the promise of financial results and sporting potential with the national team playing in sold-out stadiums in Munich and Dortmund.

It seems UEFA has noticed the negative reception FIFA has received regarding World Cup tickets. The 2028 European Championships will take place in the United Kingdom and this week UEFA confirmed its "fair and transparent ticketing principles".