A super-sized World Cup has paved the way for tiny Curaçao and Cape Verde to book their places at sport's biggest global event next year.

With a population just north of 150,000, the island off the coast of Venezuela becomes the smallest country to qualify for soccer’s global showcase.

The USA have leapfrogged Mexico to restore their status as CONCACAF's top side, at least on the FIFA Men's World Rankings, which have also confirmed advantageous seeding for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq, who will get a bye to the finals of the World Cup's inter-confederation playoffs.

Brazil, who have won the World Cup in both the United States and Mexico previously, have seldom failed to escape the group stage at prior tournaments, and they will be eager to reserve their energy for the knockout phase in 2026.

The banned list signed by President Trump in June, included forbidding the entry into the U.S. of nationals of Haiti.

Dallas launches its FIFA World Cup 26™ Volunteer Center to train 6,100 volunteers ahead of the 2026 tournament.

The World Cup’s field of 48 is almost full: The FIFA World Cup arrives in North America in 2026, with Gillette Stadium set to host seven matches. Fans will learn which teams will be playing locally when FIFA holds its “ Final Draw ” on Dec. 5.

Those games will take place after the USMNT’s World Cup squad is named in late May. Unlike some predecessors, who used the first week of a pre-World Cup camp as a final tryout, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino indicated last week that he plans to select his roster before camp opens.