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Longest unbeaten streaks in football

Italy have the longest unbeaten run in football history with 37 matches. Brazil, Argentina, and others follow them in the list of the top 6 longest unbeaten streaks in football.

Nov 22, 2022, 12:23 PMโ€ข5 min read

Longest unbeaten streaks in football

Football is the biggest game in the world and nearly every nation plays it. Hence making a name in football might be the toughest job. But, if you can make your name in football, you might be at the top of the world. However, many national football teams with great individual professional players have failed to make a name for themselves as a team. In that case, entering the longest unbeaten streaks in this competitive structure is very tough. However, teams like Italy National Football Team and Brazil National Football Team have made that possible with their game. Along with the Italy Football team, Algeria also going through their longest unbeaten streak in football.

There have been a few unbeaten streaks in football. Brazil and Italy football teams are at the top of that list. Let's take a look at the teams with 4 longest unbeaten streaks-

6 longest unbeaten streaks in football

#1 Italy Football Team | 37 matches (2018-2021)

Italy still has the longest unbeaten streaks in football history | Football stats | Sportz POint
Italy still has the longest unbeaten streaks in football history. Image - Laureus

Roberto Mancini's Italy was on the cusp of history after their 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in a 2022 World Cup qualifier. And, they did not disappoint their fans. They are the team to have the longest unbeaten streak in football history. With the loss against Spain in UEFA Nations League Semi-finals, their unbeaten run of 37 games came to an end.

Italy football team under Mancini is considered as one of the strongest defending teams in recent history. With Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, they have built their game on defence and clean sheets.

The Italy Football Team broke their streak of 30 matches set in 1935-39. In that period, they won the World Cup title (1938) and won an Olympic gold medal in 1936.

#2 Argentina | 36 games (2019-2022 )

The Finalissima Italy vs Argentina | Argetina wins the Finalissima 2022 | Football News | Sportz Point
Image - UEFA

Lionel Messi's Argentina broke their own national record. Messi's team last lost a game against Brazil in 2019 Copa America by a 2-0 margin. After that Scaloni's team has been on a mission. They have not been defeated since then till now. Moreover, the team went on to win the Copa America 2021 and then went on to win the Finalissiam 2022 against Italy. They won two back-to-back international trophies within 11 months and won 32 games in between them. However, it was Saudi Arabia who got the better of the South American team as they defeated Argentina in the first match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 to stop Team Messi's unbeaten run in world football.

Read Also: Most La Liga Titles in the last 20 years

#3 Algeria | 35 games (2018-22)

Algeria National Football Team with 35 unbeaten matches | Football | Sportz Point
Algeria National Football Team | Image - Sports Brief

Algeria, the African powerhouse's unbeaten run started on 15/11/19 with a 5-0 win against Zambia in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualification match. Then they went on to beat any team that came in front of them. They would only draw 7 games in their next 34 games, winning 27 of them. After 28 wins and 7 draws, the Algeria team suffered their first loss against Equatorial Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations match. Algeria football team lost the match by 1-0 which ended the longest unbeaten run in their football history.

#4 Brazil | 35 games (1993-96)

The Brazilian team in 1993-96 has the longest unbeaten run in international football. Their 35-match-long unbeaten run was the glorious team of Dunga, Bebeto and Romario. Their last loss was against Germany in a friendly in November 1993.

Brazil Football team in 1993-96 | Longest unbeaten streaks in football | SportzPoint
Image- Sky Sports

After that, they went on to win the World Cup the following summer in 1994. They had beaten Italy 3-2 on penalties in the 1994 World Cup final to continue their unbeaten streak. Their unbeaten streak ended in 35 matches in 1996.

Read Also: Football team with most league titles in Europe

#5 Spain | 35 games (2007-2009)

The 2007-09 Spain team was probably the best football team ever to play the game. They won everything there was to be won in football.

Longest unbeaten streaks in football history: Spain | sportzpoint.com

Their unbeaten winning streak started in 2007, the first fixture a 1-0 win over England at Old Trafford. Then they went on to win the 2008 European Championship after beating Germany in the final. Fernando Torres was the star of the match in the final.

Their unbeaten run ended with the United States in the semi-finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup. However, that team went on to win the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship. Led by Iker Casials that team might be the greatest international team ever.

Read Also: Why do footballers get punished for taking shirts off?

#6 Argentina | 31 games (1991-1993)

With a rich football history, the Latin American giants had their second-longest unbeaten streak in 1991-93.

Gabriel Batistuta with Argentina team after winning the 1993 Copa America | longest unbeaten streaks | SportzPoint
Gabriel Batistuta with Argentina team after winning the 1993 Copa America. Image- Golazo

Their last loss before the streak was against West Germany in the 1990 World Cup final. Then, they came back like a champion team winning the Copa America title in 1991 and 1993. They went unbeaten throughout both tournaments.

Read Also: Players With the Most Assists In Football History

Gabriel Batistuta proved to be their main man during those times. He had scored 16 goals during that unbeaten period. Bautista finished his career with 54 international goals, the then-highest by any Argentine. Eventually, it was broken by Lionel Messi.

Note: This article was first published on August 6, 2021, by Debangshu Biswas. Then, the article was updated by Koushik Biswas over time.

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Jorge Jesus denies negotiations with Brazil as potential head coach

Al-Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus has denied the rumours about the negotiations to be appointed as the next head coach of the Brazil national football team.

Mar 31, 2025, 11:36 AMโ€ข3 min read

Jorge Jesus denies negotiations with Brazil as potential head coach-sportzpoint.com
(Image Source | Al Hilal News)

Following the sacking of Dorival Junior as the head coach of the Brazil national team, a move that was prompted by the Selecao's significant 1-4 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, the media commenced speculations discussing potential replacements.

Besides Carlo Ancelotti, Jorge Jesus has also been named as a potential candidate. However, The 70-year-old Portuguese coach has responded to these rumours, denying any negotiation with CBF to be appointed as the next head coach of Brazil, discarding the possibility as of now.

Jorge Jesus denies negotiations with Brazil

Jorge Jesus denies negotiations with Brazil as potential head coach-sportzpoint.com
Jorge Jesus (Image Credit | AP)

In an interview with UOL, Jesus, who is currently at the helm of Saudi club Al-Hilal, assured that he has not been contacted by anyone from the Brazilian Football Federation. "No one has spoken to me, at least until today," he stated.

The 'Globo' network has indicated that Al-Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus is the front-runner to become the head coach of the Brazilian national team.

The network also pointed out that Jorge Jesus is not keen to leave his position at Al-Hilal since he expects to stay with the Saudi Pro League side until the end of the AFC Champions League Elite, which concludes on May 3, 2025.

Further, the network added that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was the initial choice; however, he is not ready to leave his present job before the end of the 2025 Club World Cup.

The Portuguese coach aims to lead Al-Hilal to triumph in the AFC Champions League Elite and might consider stepping down before the Club World Cup to assume the coaching duty at the Brazilian national team.

Jesus addressed his relationship with Neymar

Jorge Jesus denies negotiations with Brazil as potential head coach-sportzpoint.com
(Image Source | X)

Recent developments have witnessed prominent figures such as Carlo Ancelotti and Filipe Luis pulling out of contention as of now to take over the Brazil job, solidifying Jesus's position as the front-runner.

Read Also | Brazil wants to sign current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti 

This development might be a hurdle for Neymar Jr, who reportedly had a strained relationship with the Portuguese coach. 

Their stint together at Al-Hilal was filled with challenges, ending with Neymar leaving Al-Hilal to join Santos under controversial circumstances after being informed that he was not part of Jesus's long-term vision for the team.

Jorge Jesus denies negotiations with Brazil as potential head coach-sportzpoint.com
Neymar Jr. (Image Source | The Athletic)

When asked on the 'Charla Podcast' about the possibility of reuniting with Jesus in the national setup, Neymar seemed visibly uncomfortable and opted to answer otherwise. "I have nothing to do with this. I'm just a player; don't involve me in this. I'm out," he stated.

However, Jorge Jesus opened up about his relationship with Neymar. In the interview with UOL. "I have no issues with Neymar, but no club or national team can depend on individual players," the coach said, dismissing any conflicting triggers.

Read Also | Brazil fail without Neymar: these stats prove that

The situation raises questions about Neymar's future with the national team and the possible impact of this appointment on the team's dynamics. However, Brazil seeks to bounce back from their recent stint of setbacks and appoint a coach who can lead the team to the coveted success with the 2026 FIFA World Cup at stake.

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10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga

Discover the 10 biggest football transfers from the Premier League to Laliga, featuring players like Eden Hazard, and Phillipe Coutinho and legends like Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mar 29, 2025, 8:48 PMโ€ข7 min read

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com

Laliga clubs regularly own some of the biggest names in the world of football. Many of their top stars have come from abroad, often moving from the Premier League to La Liga. However, some superstars were not so successful in Laliga after the transfers. 
Trent Alexander Arnold is more likely to be the next biggest football transfer from the Premier League to Laliga. 
Discover the 10 biggest football transfers from the Premier League to Laliga, featuring players like Eden Hazard, and Phillipe Coutinho and legends like Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga:  

Rank Player From To Transfer Fee
1 Phillipe Coutinho Liverpool FC Barcelona โ‚ฌ142 million
2 Eden Hazard Chelsea Real Madrid โ‚ฌ130 million
3 Gareth Bale Tottenham Hotspurs Real Madrid โ‚ฌ85 million
4 Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United Real Madrid โ‚ฌ80 million
5 Julian Alvarez Manchester City Atletico Madrid โ‚ฌ82 million
6 Luis Suarez Liverpool FC Barcelona โ‚ฌ75 million
7 Diego Costa Chelsea Atletico Madrid โ‚ฌ57 million
8 Raphinha Leeds United FC Barcelona โ‚ฌ67 million
9 Ferran Torres Manchester City FC Barcelona โ‚ฌ46 million
10 Conor Gallagher Chelsea Atletico Madrid โ‚ฌ35 million

10. Conor Gallagher | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | โ‚ฌ35 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Sky Sports

Conor Gallagher was one of the key players for Chelsea in his final season. He is a Chelsea academy player, despite being an academy graduate of Chelsea, the Blues sold him to the Laliga side Atletico Madrid for โ‚ฌ35 million and became one of the players with the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.

He has seemed a perfect fit for Diego Simeoneโ€™s managed side, though he has rotated with other midfielders. Gallagher scored an important Champions League goal against Real Madrid, during a round of 16 match in which Atletico was heartbreakingly beaten on penalties.

9. Ferran Torres | Manchester City to FC Barcelona | โ‚ฌ46 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Barca Universal

FC Barcelona paid โ‚ฌ46 million to Ferran Torres from Manchester City in 2022. But he was never able to prove his worth in FC Barcelona, he was one of the failed yet one the biggest transfers from the Premier League to Laliga.

The winger had never scored more than 10 goals in a single campaign for the La Liga giants. Torres played 145 games at Barcelona and has started almost exactly half (73), which shows the coaches he has played under have been aware that he cannot impact games.

8. Raphinha | Leeds United to FC Barcelona | โ‚ฌ50 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Republic World

Raphinha was not a major signing for FC Barcelona, yet among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In the first season, Raphinha scored 14 goals and contributed in 15 goals. However, in the 2024/25 season, Raphinha found his lost form under Hansi Flick as he scored 27 goals and delivered 20 assists. Now the Brazilian winger is one of the players who is getting Ballon d'Or shouts in 2025.

7. Diego Costa | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | โ‚ฌ57 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Reddit

Costa played for Atletico Madrid on a few different occasions. He had already left once before coming back in 2010 by the time he moved to Chelsea in 2014, and four years later, he was back, with Atletico Madrid paying โ‚ฌ57 million for him.

Diego Costa was one of the players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In his final season before leaving for the Premier League, Costa scored 36 goals, and in three seasons at Stamford Bridge, he scored 59 goals and 21 assists. The Spanish forward 81 games in four seasons after his return but scored just 19 goals in that time.

6. Luis Suarez | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | โ‚ฌ75 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: FC Barcelona 

Barcelona had seen enough from Suarez in just two and a half seasons at Liverpool to sign him for an initially reported fee of ยฃ75million. That heโ€™d move onto bigger things was unsurprising after notching 31 goals and 13 assists in his final season in the Premier League.

Luis Suarez was one of the key players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. The Uruguayan forward scored 195 goals and assisted 113 in 283 games, in his second season at Barca, scoring a remarkable 40 La Liga goals, along with 18 assists. Across all competitions that season, Suarez scored 54 goals and assisted 24.

5. Julian Alvarez | Manchester City to Atletico Madrid | โ‚ฌ80 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: X

One of the most recent players to the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga, Julian Alvarez moved to Manchester City for Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window of the 2024 season. He already has 23 goals and five assists this season, including eight direct goal contributions in the Champions League. So far, the move looks a positive one for Alvarez.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United to Real Madrid | โ‚ฌ80 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Sporting News

Cristiano Ronaldo was undoubtedly the best move from the Premier League to La Liga in history. He broke new ground with a transfer worth approximately ยฃ80million from Manchester United. The previous world-record transfer was Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid, which had stood for eight years.

Ronaldo was one of the most devastating forwards in the world for his entire spell at Real Madrid, scoring 450 goals and assisting 131 in 438 games. Ronaldo is the most successful and among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. He won the Ballon dโ€™Or in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 while he was a Real Madrid player.

3. Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspurs to Real Madrid | โ‚ฌ85 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Sporting News

At the time of his transfer to Real Madrid for approximately ยฃ85million, Baleโ€™s was a world-record move. Gareth Bale was among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.  

Bale would win five Champions Leagues with Real, as well as three La Liga titles, among many other honors. Throughout seven seasons, he scored 106 goals and assisted 67 times.

2. Eden Hazard | Chelsea to Real Madrid | โ‚ฌ130 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Sky Sports

Eden Hazard was one of the failed transfers yet and second-placed in the list of the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. That he never played 20 La Liga games in a single season, showed how much Hazard struggled, and he retired at just 32 years of age, having played just 10 games in his final season. The Belgian failed to match that single-season total in 76 games across his entire Real Madrid career.

1. Phillipe Coutinho | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | โ‚ฌ142 million:

10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Barca Blaugranes

The biggest football transfer from the Premier League to La Liga, Barcelona spent an astonishing ยฃ142million to sign the midfielder from Liverpool. At Liverpool, he had become an iconic figure, having a direct hand in 97 goals in 201 games.

 After 13 direct goal contributions in his first 18 La Liga games, Coutinho slowed with only seven contributions in the 32 games he played in the season. The Brazilian left for Aston Villa, after only 39 goal contributions in 106 games at Barcelona.

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Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners List

Discover the last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list, featuring stars like Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane, and legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez.

Mar 29, 2025, 9:27 AMโ€ข4 min read

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com

The European Golden Shoe is one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, given annually to the leading goal scorer from the top European leagues. Over the past decade, some of footballโ€™s biggest superstars have dominated this recognition, showcasing their incredible talent and consistency in front of goal.

In this article from Sportz Point, discover the last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list, featuring stars like Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane, and legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez.

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners List:

SEASON PLAYERS
2014-15 Cristiano Ronaldo
2015-16 Luis Suarez
2016-17 Lionel Messi
2017-18 Lionel Messi
2018-19 Lionel Messi
2019-20 Ciro Immobile
2020-21 Robert Lewandowski
2021-22 Robert Lewandowski
2022-23 Erling Haaland
2024-25 Harry Kane

Harry Kane | 2024-25 season | Bayern Munich:

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: News 18

Harry Kane is among the greatest strikers to crave his name in the European Golden Shoe winners list. Despite the Bayern forward's failure to win any silverware, he won one of the most prestigious individual awards the Golden Shoe, this award shows his goal-scoring prowess. The Englishmen won the award for scoring 36 goals in the 2024-25 season.

 Erling Haaland | 2022-23 | Manchester City:

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Man City

Earling Haaland scored 36 goals in the Premier League 2022-23 season to win the prestigious individual award and cemented his name among the top players to win the European Golden Shoe winners list. In that season Earling Haaland and company won their maiden UEFA Champions League title and completed a treble for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

 Robert Lewandowski | 2021-22 and 2020-21 | Bayern Munich:

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: ESPN

Robert Lewandowski won the Golden Shoe Award in the 2021-22 season, as he cemented his name as one of the two players to win the European Golden Shoe multiple times in the list. His goals were more than enough to declare him a Ballon d'Or winner, but he was overshadowed by Karim Benzema in that season. 

In the 2020-21 season, Robert Lewandowski won his first Golden Shoe Award. In that season Robert Lewandowski and his company won a treble for Bayern Munich under Julian Nagelsmann, but he failed to win the Ballon d'Or award as Lionel Messi won the Copa America.

Ciro Immobile | 2019-20 | Lazio:

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Rediff

Immobile scored 36 league goals for Lazio in 2019-20 to win the prestigious individual award and cemented his name among the top players to win the European Golden Shoe winners list. Despite scoring 36 league goals for Lazio but did not get the chance to claim a Ballon dโ€™Or rank as the award was cancelled that year due to Covid.

Lionel Messi | 2018-19, 2017-18, and 2016-17 | FC Barcelona:

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Sports Net

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski are the only players to crave their names multiple times in the European Golden Shoe winners list. In the 2018-19 season, Messi became the last player to win the Golden Shoe and Ballon d'Or in one season. Messi was the only player, who was dragging Ernesto Valverde's managed Barcelona side to the treble and scored 36 goals.

In the 2017-18 season, Messi scored 34 league goals and won his second European Golden Shoe, despite delivering a stinker performance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In the 2016-17 season, Messi scored more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or that season, but Messi won the European Golden Shoe and became the first player to win the Golden Shoe thrice in the list.

Luis Suarez | 2015-16 | FC Barcelona:

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: The Mirror

Luis Suarez was a goalscoring machine in 2015-16, as he even managed to outgun the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. The Uruguayan scored 40 goals in La Liga alone, and he became the one and only player to win an individual award in Messi and Ronaldo's era. His goalscoring prowess is the reason, he is on the European Golden Shoe winners list

Cristiano Ronaldo | 2014-15 | Real Madrid:

Last 10 European Golden Shoe winners list-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Eurosport

Surprisingly, 2014-15 was the last time that Ronaldo ever won the European Golden Shoe. He enjoyed an excellent individual season, scoring 48 league goals for Real Madrid, but was ultimately overshadowed by Barcelona and Messi who won the treble that year. His excellent goal-scoring skills are the reason he is on the European Golden Shoe winners list. 

Let us know your thoughts via our Twitter, moreover, you can follow us on Twitter for all the updates. Join our Telegram and WhatsApp channels to get all the news and scorelines.

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Brazil wants to sign current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after recent humiliation against Argentina

Brazil targets Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, as their head coach after the recent humiliation against Argentina. Read the full details in this article from Sportz Point.

Mar 27, 2025, 10:54 AMโ€ข2 min read

Brazil wants to sign current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after recent humiliation against Argentina-sportzpoint.com

Brazil's disappointing 4-1 defeat against Argentina at Mas Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires has insecure the head coach's place of Dorival Junior, especially with the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico just over a year away. 

Following Tite's departure after Brazil's quarterfinal exit against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup, he has been the third coach to lead the team, and the Brazilian is now being tipped to depart as well if he fails to turn around Brazil's national football team's fortune.

Why Carlo Ancelotti?

Brazil wants to sign current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after recent humiliation against Argentina-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Give Me Sport

CBF president Ednaldo Rodriguez, recently re-elected, had previously identified Carlo Ancelotti as his managerial target in 2023, with Pep Guardiola also considered before the contract extension with Manchester City. However, the Italian has indicated that any discussions would only advance after the FIFA Club World Cup, which Real Madrid will participate in between June and July in the United States of America.

Ancelotti's contract details with Madrid:

Brazil wants to sign current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after recent humiliation against Argentina-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: Manchester City

Carlo Ancelotti remains under contract with Real Madrid until 2026, and if he secures major silverware, such as Laliga, UEFA Champions League, or the FIFA Club World Cup, club president Florentino Perez is expected to keep him in charge. 

The Italian has previously stated that he would never willingly leave Real Madrid, but should the club end the season trophyless. Brazil may see an opportunity to attract him away. With Carlo Ancelotti's availability uncertain, the CBF is also considering other potential options. 

Among the names being considered is Filipe Luiz, the former Atletico Madrid defender and current Flamengo coach.

Next for Brazil:

Brazil wants to sign current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after recent humiliation against Argentina-sportzpoint.com
Image Credit: X

Brazil has its next set of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in early June, playing Ecuador away and Paraguay at home. The CBF must now determine whether to keep Dorival Junior until then or appoint an interim manager while negotiations with current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti continue behind the scenes. 

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far

The World Cup presents the greatest chance for players to fulfill a lifelong dream of representing their nations on the global stage, with another edition nearby Sportz Point presents the countries that have booked a spot in the final

Mar 26, 2025, 8:30 AMโ€ข7 min read

FIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far-sportzpoint.com
World Champions Argentina qualify for the World Cup 2026. (Image Credit | AP)

The participating teams' line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has started taking shape, as Iran and Argentina have booked their place from the qualification round into the finals of the tournament.

In 2022, the FIFA World Cup provided an unforgettable experience for over 1 billion viewers who tuned in. Lionel Messi-led Argentina to victory, giving the nation moments of joy and a fitting tribute to the late Diego Maradona while solidifying his place among players who have won every major trophy. 

Read Also: Europe's Top International Goalscorers: Cristiano Ronaldo extends his lead

Key Details on the FIFA World Cup 2026

Image
Official Logo: FIFA World Cup 2026.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his team in their bid to improve the quality of the World Cup and promote inclusivity increased the number of teams that will participate in the World Cup from an initial 32 teams to 48 teams.

The teams will be split into 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top 2 of each group and the 8 best third-placed teams progressing to a new Round of 32

The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The tournament will be the first hosted by three nations and the first North American World Cup since 1994 and will be the first World Cup since 2002 to be hosted by more than one nation.

Read Also: FIFA World Cup 2026: The groups are set for the European qualifiers

How Do Teams Qualify for the World Cup?

Qualification for the World Cup is done based on the regions of the World. Each  regional Confederation is responsible for its qualification tournament, which will consist of at least one round of competition using the following formats  

  • Confederations can use a League format in which each team in a group plays all other teams in their group twice โ€“ once at home and once away.
  • A single round-robin format in which each team in a group plays all other teams in their group once, with the venues either drawn at random or assigned by the confederation with the agreement of the playing association
  • A Knockout format in which each team in a round plays one other team over two legs once at home and once away.
  • With FIFA's permission, a tournament is held in one of the participating nations or neutral territory.
  • With FIFA's permission, a single-leg knockout format.

Europe has 16 slots, Asia has 8 slots with one extra from playoffs making it 9, Africa has 9 slots with one extra coming from playoffs, South America has 6 with one extra coming from playoffs making a total of 7, North America has 6 slots with 3 already taken due to the host nations.

Teams That Have Qualified

With qualifications still ongoing the only nations that have qualified are the host nations namely the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada qualification process for the World Cup will be ongoing till the end of November 2025, and till then teams will be struggling to qualify.

1. The USA

USMNT Meta

Despite not predominantly being a football nation, the United States Menโ€™s National Team (USMNT) has managed to establish a formidable team with the likes of Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.

The appointment of Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino as their head coach shows some sign of intent that the country intends to go as far as possible in the World Cup.

Read Also: 10 Footballers Who Retired And Came Back

2. Mexico

Sports LIVE Today, March 24: Mexico Crowned CONCACAF Nations League Champs;  Oklahoma City Thunder Win 6th Straight NBA Game
Mexico have won the Concacaf Nations League 2025.

Mexico has qualified for every World Cup in the past decade, but playing on home soil will give them the advantage of fan support. While they may be without their veteran goalkeeper Ochoa, who has been crucial in past tournaments, they remain a team not to be underestimated.

Read Also | 5 Craziest Football Transfers of All-time

3. Canada

Canada beats USMNT to seal 3rd place in Nations League | theScore.com

Canada had a memorable 2022 World Cup in Qatar, highlighted by their surprising win against Belgium. However, they lost their remaining group games to Morocco and Croatia, leading to their early exit from the tournament.

Known for their attacking football, Canada relies on pace in midfield and attack, with Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies being key to their World Cup ambitions.

Teams from the Qualifier Rounds

4. Japan

Japan become first nation to qualify for World Cup as Kamada, Kubo strike
(Image Credit | AP)

Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup from the qualification round. On March 20, Thursday, Hajime Moriyasu's side beat Bahrain 2-0 in Group C of the AFC World Cup qualifiers.

Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to inspire the Samurai Blue to ensure their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, guaranteeing a top-two finish in the qualifiers standings.

Japan surprised the world with their impressive run in the 2022 World Cup, before bowing out from the Round of 16 in a narrow penalty shoot-out defeat against eventual third-place finishers Croatia. However, Japan defeated both Germany and Spain in the group stage to march onto the next round.

5. New Zealand

The New Zealand All Whites

New Zealand has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the third time with a 3-0 home win over New Caledonia in the OFC Qualifiers Final on Monday, March 24.

Three second-half goals from Michael Boxall, Kosta Barbarouses, and Elijah led New Zealand to a comfortable 3-0 win at Eden Park in Auckland. This win marks the All Whites' return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 when they registered three draws against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay in South Africa.

For the first time, the All Whites qualified directly for a World Cup, as Oceania received an automatic spot in next yearโ€™s 48-team tournament, rather than having to go through an intercontinental play-off as they did in the past.

6. Iran

FIFA World Cup 2026 qualified teams, which nations are in, Iran join Japan,  New Zealand and North American co-hosts
(Image Credit | AFP)

Iran have become the second Asian side to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals following a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan on March 25 in the third round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers Group A.

Mehdi Taremi's brace secured a point for Iran to stay atop the group A table with 20 points in 8 matches, securing the guaranteed top two finish in the group stage. On the other hand, Uzbekistan is just one victory away from their inaugural World Cup appearance.

Despite the qualification format being made easier for Asia due to the expanded 48-team World Cup, Iran has sealed the passage to their fourth World Cup finals in a row, and seventh in their history.

In the AFC Qualifiers, the top two teams qualify directly for the World Cup, while the teams finishing third and fourth in the three Asian groups will enter an additional qualifying round.

7. Argentina 

Argentine players celebrate their victory over Brazil during a CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match, Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 25, 2025. (EPA Photo)
(Image Credit | EPA)

The reigning World Champions have stormed into the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a 4-1 crushing over eternal rivals Brazil in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers on March 26. 

Argentina produced a bolstering performance, beating the Selecaos 4-1, powered by goals from Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone. Matheus Cunha netted the only goal for Brazil.

La Albiceleste currently top the table with 31 points in 14 matches, 16 points clear of seventh-placed Venezuela than the required seven points at this point.

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