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Post being replied to

FIFA has allocated the 48 slots for '26 World Cup by plaid_pants

AFC: 8 direct slots (increased from 4.5)

CAF: 9 direct slots (increased from 5)

CONCACAF: 6 direct slots (increased from 3.5)

CONMEBOL: 6 direct slots (increased from 4.5)

OFC: 1 direct slot (increased from 0.5)

UEFA: 16 direct slots (increased from 13)

* The host country would also automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and its slot would be taken from the quota of its confederation.

The above allocation accounts for 46 of the 48 participating teams. The proposal reviewed by the Bureau of the Council includes a play-off tournament involving six teams to decide the last two FIFA World Cup berths: One team per confederation with the exception of UEFA + one additional team from the confederation of the host country...

My personal thought is that this pretty much includes every competent nation from each confederation. I'm not sure how thrilling qualifying will be in 2026. Perhaps qualifying will be more like the Olympics where you let your youngsters get their feet wet.