The World Cup qualifying process is reaching its peak during the international break in September. So far, only 14 countries have secured their spots for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to occur in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and many others are eager to join them soon. With this edition expanding to 48 teams for the first time, numerous nations will have the opportunity to compete, while others aim to end significant droughts and absences from FIFA’s flagship tournament.
Globally, although the United States will not participate in World Cup qualifying, this period remains critical as they prepare to face South Korea and Japan. Meanwhile, teams like Italy and Norway have a lot at stake in UEFA, while qualifying in Concacaf is set to begin for those aiming to join the hosts.
Here’s a rundown of what to keep an eye on during this international break:
Who stands out in Concacaf?
With the top three teams in Concacaf already qualified for the World Cup, the remaining contenders can breathe a sigh of relief as qualifying begins (you can follow all the action on Paramount+). Jamaica, Panama, and Costa Rica are optimistic about securing direct tournament spots, but they must be cautious, as other Concacaf teams have improved and could challenge their bids for qualification. Guatemala and Honduras stand to benefit the most from the additional qualification slots, making the outcome of the North American qualifying uncertain.
Will Haaland secure his World Cup spot?
Everyone desires a World Cup featuring the world’s elite players, and if Norway maintains their strong qualifying start, Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard will aim to shine in the United States. Norway last qualified for the World Cup in 1998, reaching the round of 16 in France, and they’ll be eager to break that trend. Having performed perfectly thus far in UEFA qualification, they will next face Finland and Moldova to bolster their standing. Winning those matches would have Norway dreaming of qualifying.
Italy aiming to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence
Continuing in Group I, while Norway is off to a fantastic start, Italy’s performance tells a different story, with one win and one loss from their two matches. The silver lining is that they have only played two games, but their performance has been lacking. After failing to qualify for the previous two World Cups, Italy must secure a spot in this expanded edition, as a third miss would be extremely damaging. With a new head coach, Gennaro Gattuso, formerly of Hajduk Split in Croatia, they must hit the ground running before the qualification period closes.
Brazil seeks a breakthrough
Brazil has secured their place in the 2026 World Cup, yet Carlo Ancelotti has yet to make an impact on the squad. They have managed only one goal in their last two outings against Ecuador and Paraguay, despite expectations of being one of the most thrilling attacking teams in the world. Ancelotti has reinforced the defense; the next step is to ignite the attack, which he will need to accomplish without Matheus Cunha. With matches against Chile and Bolivia on the horizon, this should be a crucial window for Brazil to score goals; failing to do so would raise ongoing concerns.
Can the USMNT deliver?
Under Mauricio Pochettino, the United States aims for a defining victory. Facing South Korea and Japan offers an opportunity for such a win during this window, although he is utilizing the September international break to examine new players before finalizing World Cup rotations. Folarin Balogun is set to make his competitive debut under Pochettino, going up against Josh Sargent, who has netted in five straight games for Norwich City. This is a vital window for the USMNT, and while the roster includes some regulars, the absence of players like Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie places even greater pressure on Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams to lead the team. Concerns continue to mount ahead of the World Cup, and this window could alleviate some of that tension; however, repeated poor performances could lead to further decline.
