World Cup
World Cup 2026: Early Contenders and Debutants Emerge as Qualification Race Heats Up
By KUNLE SOLAJA
With less than a year to go before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the qualification picture is beginning to take shape.
So far, 16 nations have secured their tickets to the expanded 48-team tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19 across North America.
Hosts in the Spotlight
The three co-hosts—United States, Mexico and Canada—booked automatic spots, ensuring North America’s presence is strongly felt on home soil.
Each carries a different pedigree: the U.S. eyeing a return to knockout relevance after their 1930 semi-final run, Mexico looking to finally break their round-of-16 ceiling, and Canada aiming to move beyond the group stage after two unsuccessful attempts.
Asia’s Powerhouses and First-Timers
Asian giants Japan and South Korea are back, bringing with them decades of consistency.
Japan will target a first-ever quarter-final appearance after four round-of-16 exits, while Korea still cherish their 2002 semi-final run.
The real story, though, comes from Asia’s new entrants. Uzbekistan and Jordan have qualified for the World Cup for the first time, marking historic milestones for Central and Middle Eastern football.
Their inclusion highlights the impact of the expanded format in opening doors for emerging football nations. Iran, meanwhile, maintain their streak as Asia’s most regular World Cup participants, though they are still searching for a knockout-stage breakthrough.
Oceania Breakthrough
New Zealand return for their third World Cup and first since 2010. Known for their defensive resilience, the All Whites will again carry Oceania’s banner on the world stage.
South America’s Heavyweights Lead the Charge
As ever, South America is shaping up to be one of the strongest regions. Defending champions Argentina, five-time winners Brazil, and two-time winners Uruguay have already qualified, ensuring that the tournament will have no shortage of pedigree.
Ecuador, Colombia, and Paraguay also secured their spots, reflecting CONMEBOL’s remarkable depth. Colombia and Paraguay, both quarter-finalists in the past, will hope to recapture their golden moments.
Africa’s Rising Star
Morocco, fresh off their historic 2022 semi-final run in Qatar, were the first African side to punch their ticket to 2026.
They arrive not as underdogs this time, but as genuine contenders, carrying the hopes of a continent eager for another deep run.
Australia’s Consistency
The Socceroos, who have grown into reliable qualifiers since their switch to the Asian confederation, will make their seventh World Cup appearance.
Their aim will be to build on the round-of-16 showings of 2006 and 2022.
A Tournament Taking Shape
With qualification still ongoing, these 16 teams offer a glimpse into the diversity and competitive balance that will define the 2026 World Cup.
From debutants like Uzbekistan and Jordan to global giants like Brazil and Argentina, the field already captures the essence of football’s global reach.
As more nations join the roster in the coming months, the mix of tradition, ambition, and fresh stories promises to make North America’s first World Cup in three decades one of the most captivating editions yet.
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday reignited their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The decisive moment came in the 51st minute when forward Tolu Arokodare pounced on a loose ball inside the box and calmly slotted past Rwanda’s goalkeeper to hand Nigeria all three points.
Both sides had approached the first half with caution, resulting in few clear-cut chances. Nigeria’s backline, well-organised under the leadership of Calvin Bassey, resisted Rwanda’s attempts to break through, particularly after the visitors tweaked their approach following the interval.
The win, however, did not come without concern for the hosts. Star striker Victor Osimhen limped off before halftime, forcing coach Eric Chelle to introduce Cyril Dessers. Despite the setback, the Eagles pressed on and showed resilience to secure the narrow but crucial result.
With the victory, Nigeria boosted their position in the Group C standings and kept their qualification hopes firmly alive as the race for the 2026 World Cup intensifies.
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By KUNLE SOLAJA.
The race for the 2026 World Cup takes another dramatic turn this Saturday when Nigeria’s Super Eagles host Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. For Nigeria, the stakes could not be higher.
After a stuttering start to their qualifying campaign, which left them stranded in mid-table, victory has now become non-negotiable.
Anything less than three points could push the three-time African champions further away from the summit of Group C.
Rwanda, on the other hand, arrive with quiet confidence. Their solidity at the back has made them stubborn opponents, and they have often frustrated supposedly bigger teams with their discipline and organisation.
If scoring goals remains their Achilles heel, their resilience more than makes up for it, keeping them firmly in the qualification conversation.
Nigeria will look to their star man, Victor Osimhen, to tilt the balance. The former Napoli striker, fresh from injury recovery earlier in the campaign, remains the Super Eagles’ most reliable weapon, capable of turning tight contests with his pace, power, and eye for goal.
Supporting him will be the creative Alex Iwobi and the in-form Ademola Lookman, as coach Eric Chelle seeks to spark life into a side whose campaign has yet to fully ignite.
The head-to-head record leans Nigeria’s way, with three wins in eight meetings. Their last encounter in March ended 2–0 in favour of the Eagles, Osimhen striking twice to secure a vital win.
Yet Rwanda, a point ahead of the Super Eagles on the log, will take heart from their recent consistency and the knowledge that Nigeria’s struggles have made them vulnerable.
Saturday’s clash promises a battle of contrasts: Nigeria’s attacking ambition against Rwanda’s defensive steel.
It is more than just a qualifier; it is a statement game. For Nigeria, it is a chance to reassert their pedigree and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
A loss ends their ambition to the 2026 World Cup. For Rwanda, it is an opportunity to prove that their rise is no fluke.
One thing is certain: when the whistle blows in Uyo, the margins will be fine, the pressure immense, and the consequences far-reaching.
A win will take Nigeria to the third position, just a point behind the current runners-up, Benin. It will raise their spirits ahead of their most challenging opponents, South Africa that they will face on Tuesday.
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-“This time, the trophy is our dream.”
By KUNLE SOLAJA, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat
While many African teams are still entangled in the arithmetic of World Cup qualification, Morocco – the first on the continent to book a spot at the 2026 finals – have already set their sights higher.
Before demolishing Niger Republic 5-0 on Friday night at the newly remodelled Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, the message from the stands was clear. A massive banner stretched across a section of the stadium declaring: “This time, the trophy is our dream.”
At 2026 World Cup, Morocco will will be unbreakable, unstoppable and not afraid of any team – The Atlas Lions have warned!
Above the inscription was another giant display: the iconic Atlas Lion, Morocco’s national team symbol, clutching the World Cup trophy.
With world-class organisation, huge investments in infrastructure, and a deliberate strategy in human capital development, Morocco have every reason to dream big.
After all, their World Cup journey has always been about breaking barriers for Africa.
In 1970, Morocco became the first African side to score a goal at the World Cup when Mohammed Houmane Jari struck against West Germany in Mexico.
Just days later, they earned Africa’s first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria – also in Mexico, which will again co-host the 2026 edition.
At Mexico ’86, sixteen years later, Morocco stunned the world. They became the first African team to top a World Cup group. They beat a power-packed Group F that comprised England, Portugal, and Poland.
They came very close to shocking West Germany in the Round of 16. However, a late strike by Lothar Matthäus ended their run.
Coincidentally, Ezzaki Badou is the coach of Niger Republic in Friday’s match. He was the captain and goalkeeper for Morocco at the Mexico ’86 World Cup.
In France ’98, Said Belqola made history as the first and only African referee to officiate a World Cup final.
And in Qatar 2022, the Atlas Lions went further than any African or Arab nation had ever gone, reaching the semi-finals and captivating the world.
Now, the ambition has grown bolder. Another banner unveiled in front of the grandstand on Friday night carried a chilling warning to rivals: “UNBREAKABLE; UNSTOPPABLE; UNAFRAID.”
The world has been warned! The Atlas Lions are not just going to the 2026 World Cup. They are going there to roar.
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