"Emotions ran high on a night of historic wins and last-gasp goals as the last eight of the 43 automatic qualification spots for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were sealed across Europe (UEFA), Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). With less than seven months to go until the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, European heavyweights Spain and the tiny Caribbean nation Curacao were among those to book a spot amid tears of joy and wild celebrations late on Tuesday."
"Curacao became the smallest country ever with a population of just 156,000 to qualify for the World Cup on November 18 as Haiti booked their return to the tournament for the first time in 52 years, along with Panama. It was also a week of heartbreak and shock for some of the biggest names in football, including former European champions Greece and African powerhouse Nigeria, as they were knocked out of contention for the most popular sports tournament in the world."
"Following the last round of direct qualification, here's a continental breakdown of the qualified teams: Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico and USA Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland Oceania: New Zealand Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Curacao, Panama, Haiti"
Forty-three automatic qualification spots for the FIFA World Cup 2026 saw the final eight sealed across Europe, Central America and the Caribbean. Co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States will stage the expanded 48-team tournament. Spain and Curacao secured direct qualification, with Curacao becoming the smallest country ever (population 156,000) to reach a World Cup. Haiti returned after 52 years and Panama also qualified. Greece and Nigeria were among the notable nations eliminated. Italy and 15 other European teams enter playoffs for four remaining slots, while Iraq reached the intercontinental playoffs.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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