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A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
On Sunday, Ghana became the fifth African nation to qualify. The 2010 quarterfinalist joins Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia at next year’s tournament.
Forty-three teams will get their spots through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. The three host countries automatically qualify.
The breakdown
Asia will have eight direct places and one in the intercontinental playoff.
Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff.

North and Central America and the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs.
South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs.
Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs.
Europe will have 16 teams sure to play in the World Cup.
ALREADY QUALIFIED

North America

• United States, Mexico, Canada (qualified automatically as hosts)

Africa

• Algeria
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Morocco
• Tunisia

Asia

• Australia
• Iran
• Japan
• Jordan
• South Korea
• Uzbekistan

Oceania

• New Zealand

South America

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Paraguay
• Uruguay

MANAMA: The opening round of the Aramco F4 ������Ƶn Championship, certified by the FIA, concluded on Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit.

ALTAWKILAT Motorsport promoted the event under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

The second and final race of the round delivered an exceptional level of competition, characterized by skillful driving and intense battles until the very last moment. At the end of the race, Elsa Cammilleri, sporting coordinator, single-seater junior categories, presented the first-place trophy to Emirati driver Adam Al-Azhari (Valvoline), while Fiona Rees, head of sporting for the championship, awarded the second-place trophy to Emirati driver Theo Palmer (JACO). Mohammed Al-Dossari, CEO of Teleios X, presented the third-place trophy to Dutch driver Nina Gademan (CARAAGY).

Cammilleri also presented the Best Female Driver Award to Gademan in recognition of her outstanding performance over the weekend. Jonathan Wells, motorsport manager for the Middle East, Africa and India region at Pirelli, presented the Best Rookie Award to Thibaut Ramaekers.

Earlier in the day, the second qualifying session brought an atmosphere of excitement and close competition among the drivers. The session saw Al-Azhari secure pole position, followed by Palmer in second, Ramaekers (Zahid) in third, American driver Ava Dobson (PEAX) in fourth, and Kit Belofsky (PEAX) rounding out the top five on the grid.

The Aramco F4 ������Ƶn Championship reflects SAMF’s ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering young national talent by creating a competitive environment that hones their skills and prepares them for participation in regional and international championships. It also underscores the federation’s dedication to positioning the Kingdom as a leading destination for motorsport and enhancing the international presence of Saudi drivers in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to empower youth and advance the country’s sports sector.

The championship calendar features five rounds in total, offering a dynamic season that showcases both regional and international circuits. The Bahrain International Circuit will also host the second round on Oct. 15–16, before the action moves to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the world’s fastest street circuit, for the third round on Nov. 10–11. The fourth round will take place on Nov. 14–15, leading to an exciting conclusion with the final round on Dec. 5–6, once again at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.