Nine African countries have secured automatic places at next year's World Cup finals, with the top two teams from each group qualifying directly. Nigeria and DR Congo will represent Africa in the intercontinental playoffs in March after a gripping penalty shootout.
Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, made up for missing out on Qatar 2022 by reaching the finals with a game in hand. The Pharaohs did qualify for the first World Cup in 1930 but missed their boat from Marseille to South America after a storm delayed them.
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the finals after beating Niger 5-0 in Rabat. The Atlas Lions have reached the finals six times and will co-host the 2030 edition alongside Portugal and Spain.
Tunisia secured their place with a last-gasp winner against Equatorial Guinea, ensuring they progress for the seventh time but without ever advancing beyond the group stage.
Ghana qualified after beating Comoros 3-0 at home. The Black Stars have now reached five of the last six World Cup finals and manager Otto Addo has played down expectations about his team's chances.
Cape Verde made their debut at the World Cup, topping Group D with a 3-0 win over Eswatini. The Blue Sharks will become the second-smallest nation by population to play at a men's finals, after Iceland in 2018.
South Africa overcame a three-point deduction in their qualifying campaign to finish top of Group C after beating Rwanda 3-0. Benin and Nigeria secured the other playoff spots, ensuring that South Africa will qualify for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Senegal cruised to a 4-0 victory over Mauritania in October to finish top of their qualifying Group B. Sadio Mané scored two goals, while Everton's Iliman Ndiaye was also on the scoresheet.
Ivory Coast breezed past Kenya 3-0 in their final qualifier to finish top of Group F. Amad Diallo scored one and set up another for his country.
Eight nations from Asia have qualified directly, with Iraq and the United Arab Emirates going to a two-legged regional playoff in November.
Australia reached the finals in June after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 on penalties following a goalless draw in Jeddah. The Socceroos will compete in their eighth successive World Cup.
Iran drew 2-2 with Uzbekistan twice, securing an automatic spot at next year's finals. Team Melli has yet to venture beyond the group stage in six tournaments.
Japan secured their ticket by beating Bahrain 2-0 after Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half. They will compete in their eighth successive World Cup.
Jordan reached their first World Cup finals on 5 June, despite losing 3-0 to Oman. Ali Olwan's hat-trick triggered jubilation in Jordan.
South Korea secured their 11th consecutive finals spot with a victory over Iraq at Basra Stadium. Son Heung-min will turn 34 during the finals and has said it will be his last tournament.
Uzbekistan qualified after a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first nation to reach a World Cup final from Central Asia.
Eight European countries have secured their spots, including England, France, and Portugal. The 2018 finalists Croatia completed their qualification after beating the Faroe Islands 3-1 at home.
Ghana qualified after beating Comoros 3-0 at home.
Argentina reached the finals with a goalless draw against Ecuador in Lima. Marcelo Bielsa guided La Celeste to their fifth successive World Cup.
Brazil secured their record 23rd appearance by beating Paraguay 1-0 on 10 June. Carlo Ancelotti's side will make their 23rd appearance but have limited preparation time after arriving in May from Real Madrid.
Paraguay qualified for the first time since 2010 with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. Gustavo Alfaro's side held off Ecuador to secure the crucial point they needed.
Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, made up for missing out on Qatar 2022 by reaching the finals with a game in hand. The Pharaohs did qualify for the first World Cup in 1930 but missed their boat from Marseille to South America after a storm delayed them.
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the finals after beating Niger 5-0 in Rabat. The Atlas Lions have reached the finals six times and will co-host the 2030 edition alongside Portugal and Spain.
Tunisia secured their place with a last-gasp winner against Equatorial Guinea, ensuring they progress for the seventh time but without ever advancing beyond the group stage.
Ghana qualified after beating Comoros 3-0 at home. The Black Stars have now reached five of the last six World Cup finals and manager Otto Addo has played down expectations about his team's chances.
Cape Verde made their debut at the World Cup, topping Group D with a 3-0 win over Eswatini. The Blue Sharks will become the second-smallest nation by population to play at a men's finals, after Iceland in 2018.
South Africa overcame a three-point deduction in their qualifying campaign to finish top of Group C after beating Rwanda 3-0. Benin and Nigeria secured the other playoff spots, ensuring that South Africa will qualify for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Senegal cruised to a 4-0 victory over Mauritania in October to finish top of their qualifying Group B. Sadio Mané scored two goals, while Everton's Iliman Ndiaye was also on the scoresheet.
Ivory Coast breezed past Kenya 3-0 in their final qualifier to finish top of Group F. Amad Diallo scored one and set up another for his country.
Eight nations from Asia have qualified directly, with Iraq and the United Arab Emirates going to a two-legged regional playoff in November.
Australia reached the finals in June after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 on penalties following a goalless draw in Jeddah. The Socceroos will compete in their eighth successive World Cup.
Iran drew 2-2 with Uzbekistan twice, securing an automatic spot at next year's finals. Team Melli has yet to venture beyond the group stage in six tournaments.
Japan secured their ticket by beating Bahrain 2-0 after Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half. They will compete in their eighth successive World Cup.
Jordan reached their first World Cup finals on 5 June, despite losing 3-0 to Oman. Ali Olwan's hat-trick triggered jubilation in Jordan.
South Korea secured their 11th consecutive finals spot with a victory over Iraq at Basra Stadium. Son Heung-min will turn 34 during the finals and has said it will be his last tournament.
Uzbekistan qualified after a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first nation to reach a World Cup final from Central Asia.
Eight European countries have secured their spots, including England, France, and Portugal. The 2018 finalists Croatia completed their qualification after beating the Faroe Islands 3-1 at home.
Ghana qualified after beating Comoros 3-0 at home.
Argentina reached the finals with a goalless draw against Ecuador in Lima. Marcelo Bielsa guided La Celeste to their fifth successive World Cup.
Brazil secured their record 23rd appearance by beating Paraguay 1-0 on 10 June. Carlo Ancelotti's side will make their 23rd appearance but have limited preparation time after arriving in May from Real Madrid.
Paraguay qualified for the first time since 2010 with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. Gustavo Alfaro's side held off Ecuador to secure the crucial point they needed.
and i feel bad for Niger, they got smashed by Morocco 
but congrats to all teams making it to the finals 
and im hyped that Cape Verde made it as their smallest nation, gotta love underdog stories 
and omg Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain, what a squad 
and Ghana's Otto Addo is being super humble about their chances 
anyway, can't wait for the World Cup in 2026! 
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I'm not sure about this World Cup qualification business... 
Nine African countries getting automatic spots? That seems like a lot. And what's with all these penalties and shootouts? Can't teams just play normal football for once? 
It's getting to the point where skill and sportsmanship take a backseat.
How are teams supposed to prepare for this when they're still playing in group stage matches in November? 
And it's amazing to see Tunisia, Ghana, Cape Verde, and South Africa all making their way to the finals despite being underdogs.
Can you believe how many countries are making it to the World Cup finals next year? It's like, amazing to see so much talent and hard work paying off for these nations! 
And I love that we're seeing more African teams making a name for themselves on the global stage. The Blue Sharks from Cape Verde are about to become history makers! 
Ghana's Black Stars always give it their all, and Senegal is looking fierce with Sadio Mané and Amad Diallo leading the charge. 
The 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco can't come soon enough! 
morocco becoming the first african nation to host and make it looks so cool 
cape verde making their debut and being the second smallest nation by population to play at a men's finals wow 
south africa overcoming a 3 point deduction is like, amazing 
from the intercontinental playoffs march can't come soon enough! meanwhile, i'm loving the underdog stories like morocco's first finals appearance 
they're gonna rock that stage with the atlas lions 
morocco finally broke through after six attempts 
and cape verde is like, the smallest nation playing at men's finals 
and i'm so down for an atlas lions tournament in my living room, can we get a streaming deal? 
i'm also loving seeing more african teams making it to the finals nigerias win over comoros was a nail-biter 
