World Cup 2026
Ten nations are already qualified – including completely unexpected
The qualification for the World Cup is running. While she has not yet started for the German team, ten teams have already been determined – in the end it will be 48.
It is curious: While ten national teams have already been as participants in the Mega World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, she has not yet started the German national team. Because of the participation in the Nations League final tournament, the eleven of national coach Julian Nagelsmann will only start in qualification group A with the opponents Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg in September. By cutting off in the Nations League, the DFB team has sure to participate in the play-offs for the World Cup.
48 participants and the question of quality
The qualification is going for so long because 48 teams will take part in the World Cup – more than ever before. Nobody can predict whether such a large number of participants will be a profit or whether it only gives more games and more TV broadcasts-and otherwise a lot of mediocre to bad football.
At the first four world championships in 1930, 1934, 1938 and 1950, 13 to 16 countries took part – travel was more difficult, so the number fluctuated. After that, the tournament continued to grow. From 1954 to 1978 the number of participants was 16. From 1982 to 1994 there were 24 teams. Since 1998, 32 teams have traveled to a World Cup and now 48 for the first time. In the image series, we gradually gather all participants – so that you do not lose track.
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Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
