Suriname vs. Panama
Due to the USA, Mexico, and Canada qualifying automatically as hosts, only three direct spots remain in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, with the two best runners-up advancing to inter-confederation playoffs. Suriname, who have reached the final qualifying round just once before, will aim to start their campaign with a win when they host Panama in Paramaribo on Thursday. Under former Netherlands goalkeeper Stanley Menzo, the team has been rising in the FIFA rankings since allowing Dutch-born players of Surinamese descent to represent the national side. Their squad includes Huddersfield defender Radinio Balker.
Jamaica vs. Trinidad and Tobago
Steve McClaren’s Jamaica won an entertaining friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in late May, but the stakes are much higher when they meet again in Kingston on Wednesday. Both teams have qualified for the World Cup once before—Jamaica in 1998 and Trinidad and Tobago in 2006—and have a chance to top a group that also includes Curaçao and Bermuda. Jamaica, who face Bermuda first on Friday, are favored to advance as the highest-ranked team at 70th, but Trinidad manager Dwight Yorke, a former Manchester United player, would relish a win over his old coach.
Colombia vs. Bolivia
It has been 31 years since Bolivia last won in Colombia, and they need a repeat performance on Friday to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive. With two rounds left in the 18-match Conmebol qualifiers, Colombia can secure a place in the finals—after missing out in 2022—with a win in Barranquilla. A draw might also suffice if Venezuela fails to win in Argentina that same evening. Bolivia’s best chance is to finish seventh and reach the inter-confederation playoffs. They host already-qualified Brazil in their final match on Wednesday.
Uruguay vs. Peru
A draw would secure Uruguay’s fifth consecutive World Cup qualification under Marcelo Bielsa, though they will be without Federico Valverde and Darwin Núñez for Friday’s match against Peru in Montevideo. Peru must win to keep their hopes of finishing seventh alive, and they also need Bolivia and Venezuela to drop points. The last time Peru beat Uruguay away was in 2004, with a goal from former Newcastle player Nolberto Solano. They hope to set up a decisive final match against Paraguay.
Paraguay vs. Ecuador
Paraguay haven’t qualified for the World Cup since their quarter-final exit in 2010, but that could change under manager Gustavo Alfaro, despite a recent loss to Brazil. They have a chance to secure qualification when they host Ecuador in Asunción on Friday. Alfaro previously managed Ecuador at the last World Cup. Ecuador, already qualified under Sebastián Beccacece, are aiming to hold off Brazil for second place in the Conmebol standings and won’t make it easy.
Israel vs. Italy
New Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso, appointed after Luciano Spalletti’s dismissal in June, faces a tough task to revive Italy’s World Cup hopes after missing out since 2014. His tenure begins with a qualifier against Estonia on Friday, followed by a match against Israel on Monday at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. The two teams are scheduled to meet again next month in Udine, though the city’s mayor has called for the fixture to be postponed.Postponed due to security concerns, Gattuso’s team needs two wins during the international break to have a chance of catching Norway, who are aiming for a fifth straight qualifying victory against Moldova on Tuesday and an automatic spot.
In European qualifying, six groups have only four teams, leaving no margin for error. The standout match this week is Tuesday’s clash between Hungary, led by Dominik Szoboszlai, and a star-studded Portugal side that still includes the 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. Hungary, who haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1986, are hopeful of ending that drought in a group that also features the Republic of Ireland and Armenia. They play in Dublin on Saturday before hosting Portugal in Budapest.
Egypt top their African qualifying group with five wins and a draw from six games and are close to securing only their third World Cup appearance. After hosting Ethiopia on Friday, they face a crucial away match against Burkina Faso. Two wins would seal their qualification. Mohamed Salah, who played in the 2018 World Cup just after recovering from an injury sustained in the Champions League final against Sergio Ramos, is determined to help Egypt qualify this time, especially after losing to Senegal on penalties in a playoff three years ago.
Nigeria are under pressure after a slow start to their qualifying campaign. Having missed the 2022 World Cup, they have only one win so far and have drawn all three home games 1–1. They must beat Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday before a decisive match against group leaders South Africa in Bloemfontein three days later. However, FIFA has yet to rule on a possible punishment for South Africa, who fielded Teboho Mokoena—who should have been suspended for accumulating two yellow cards—in their win over Lesotho in March.
Cape Verde have made impressive progress since reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in their debut in 2013 and are well-placed to qualify for their first World Cup. They lead Group D by one point over Cameroon, who are aiming for their ninth World Cup appearance. Cape Verde host Cameroon on Tuesday in Praia after playing away in Mauritius. Libya and Angola are still in contention, as the four best second-place teams from Africa’s nine groups will compete in a playoff for a spot in the inter-confederation qualifiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about the topic From rising stars to fallen giants Teams to watch in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
General Beginner Questions
Q What are the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
A They are the series of matches played by national teams from around the world to earn a spot in the final 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament
Q Why is the 2026 World Cup special
A Its the first World Cup to be expanded to 48 teams meaning more countries than ever before have a realistic chance of qualifying
Q What does rising stars mean in this context
A It refers to national teams that are improving rapidly and are expected to perform well potentially qualifying for their first or second World Cup
Q And what does fallen giants mean
A This describes traditionally strong footballing nations that have recently struggled and now face a real challenge to even qualify for the World Cup
Q When do the qualifiers start
A Qualifiers are already underway in some continents The process is staggered with different confederations starting at different times between 2023 and 2025
Teams Examples
Q Can you give an example of a rising star team
A Certainly Canada after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup is a great example from the CONCACAF region In Africa a team like Morocco after their historic 2022 semifinal run is now a major force
Q Who would be considered a fallen giant
A Italy is the prime example As fourtime World Cup champions they failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments making their 2026 qualifying campaign incredibly highstakes
Q Are there any other traditional powers in danger
A Yes In South America teams like Chile and Colombia who have had recent success are in a tough fight against powerhouses like Brazil and Argentina for the limited automatic qualification spots
Q Which underdog teams have the best shot at qualifying due to the expansion
A The expansion benefits teams from Asia and Africa the most Look for teams like Oman Uzbekistan
