The Confederation of North/​Central American and Caribbean Association Football [CONCACAF] has 35 FIFA members. Canada, Mexico, and the United States qualify automatically for the 2026 Men’s World Cup as cohosts. All of the remaining 32 members entered the qualifiers.

In addition to the automatic qualifiers, three CONCACAF teams qualify for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, and two advance to the interconfederation playoffs. There are three phases of play prior to the playoffs.

PRELIMINARY ROUND

• 4 teams
  • Byes: 28 highest teams in FIFA rankings
• Two pairs
• Two legs [home and away]
  • Winner decided on aggregate goals [extra time and penalties if needed; away goals tiebreaker does not apply]
• 2 teams advance to first group phase:
  • Series winners
• Remaining 2 teams eliminated

FIRST GROUP PHASE

• 30 teams
• Six groups: 5 teams each
• Single round robin [two home and two away matches per team]
• 12 teams advance to final round:
  • Top two teams in each group
• Remaining 18 teams eliminated

FINAL ROUND

• 12 teams
• Three groups: 4 teams each
• Double round robin [home and away]
• 3 teams qualify for final tournament:
  • First placed team in each group
• 2 teams advance to playoffs:
  • Top two second placed teams
• Remaining 7 teams eliminated