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42 Nations Already Secured for 2026 FIFA World Cup as Play Off Line Up Finalised

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The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking shape, with 42 teams already confirmed for the expanded 48 nation tournament and the full list of Play-Off Tournament contenders now settled.

Europe added several heavyweights to the confirmed list this week, with Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands all sealing qualification. UEFA sides will return in the next international window for the play-off phase, which will determine the remaining four European berths.

Globally, only two places at the World Cup will be decided through the six-team FIFA Play-Off Tournament, featuring one representative from each confederation. The qualifiers for that showdown are Bolivia (CONMEBOL), Congo DR (CAF), Iraq (AFC), Jamaica (CONCACAF), New Caledonia (OFC) and Suriname (CONCACAF).

In the CONCACAF region, north of South America, Curaçao, Haiti and Panama have also secured their places after a strong qualifying campaign.

Confirmed Teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (42/48)

Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA

AFC: Australia, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan

CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

CONCACAF: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama

CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

OFC: New Zealand

UEFA: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland

Play-Off Tournament Participants (6/6):

Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Suriname

Continental Allocation of Qualification Spots:

AFC: 8 direct spots + 1 Play-Off

CAF: 9 direct spots + 1 Play-Off

CONCACAF: 6 direct spots + 2 Play-Off

CONMEBOL: 6 direct spots + 1 Play-Off

OFC: 1 direct spot + 1 Play-Off

UEFA: 16 direct spots

The remaining six berths for the 2026 World Cup will be decided in the coming months, with continental play-offs and the global Play-Off Tournament set to complete the lineup.

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CAPS United Bolsters Squad with 12 New Signings Ahead of 2026 Season

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CAPS United has strengthened its squad ahead of the 2026 season, confirming the signing of 12 new players across all positions. The club, determined to challenge for domestic honours, has added a mix of experienced campaigners and young talents.

Among the new arrivals are defenders Nyasha Gurende, Talent Chamboko, and Kudzai Chigwida, midfield reinforcements Lloyd Njaliwa, McDonald Makuwe, Bret Amidu, and Richard Hachiro, as well as forwards Obriel Chirinda, Chawanangwa Kaonga, and Delic Murimba. The club also secured winger Davison Marowa and goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.

The signings reflect CAPS United’s intent to build a balanced squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Club officials have highlighted the importance of blending youth and experience to maintain competitiveness in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.

Fans will be eager to see how the new recruits integrate with the existing squad as pre-season preparations ramp up. With reinforcements across defence, midfield, and attack, CAPS United is signaling its ambition to mount a strong challenge in the 2026 campaign.

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Meet Ballon Chiseko: The Man Mobilising Footballers and Coaches for ED

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Ballon Chiseko is the driving force behind the fast-growing Former Footballers and Players for ED initiative, a movement that has begun to attract attention within Zimbabwe’s football circles.

Popularly known as “Master”, Chiseko is a former professional footballer with a career that spanned across the region. He previously turned out for Shooting Stars, Munumotapa FC, and Gaborone United in Botswana, earning respect both on and off the pitch.

Through the initiative, Chiseko is bringing together former players, active footballers and coaches with the aim of contributing to national development using football as a tool for engagement and influence.

Chiseko says the formation of the group was inspired by the President’s call for inclusive national development.

“The President has an open-door policy to develop the country, leaving no place and no one behind. We formed this initiative in response to that call so that our footballers and coaches can also play a role through football,” he said.

The Former Footballers and Players for ED movement positions football not just as a sport, but as a platform for unity, participation and national contribution, with Chiseko emerging as the key figure coordinating its vision and direction.

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US$100K Lifeline for Soccer Legends

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$100K Lifeline for Soccer Legends
Former Zimbabwe soccer legends, including Sunday Marimo and Evans Gwekerere, meet with Zanu PF Deputy Political Commissar Taurai Kandishaya (centre) at his Goromonzi farm during the launch of the Footballers4ED affiliate. The gathering unveiled a US$100,000 livelihood project fund pledged for ex-players. (Picture: Hurumende News Hub)

• Tagwirei Pledges $100k to Former Footballers Through New Zanu PF Affiliate 

• Footballers4ED Initiative Offers Ex-Players Projects, Free Healthcare

• Zimbabwe Soccer Legends Tasked with Grassroots Revival Under New Funding Scheme

A new affiliate group, Footballers4ED, has been launched with a pledge of US$100,000 in funding for former footballers, aimed at supporting project-based livelihoods.

 

The initiative was unveiled at a meeting hosted by Zanu PF Youth League Deputy Political Commissar Taurai Kandishaya at his farm in Goromonzi.

Speaking to the gathering, which included several Zimbabwean soccer legends, Kandishaya announced that the funding had been pledged by businessman and Zanu PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei.

 

“Cde Kudakwashe Tagwirei pledged to support the former footballers with US$100,000 so that they come up with various projects so that they earn a better living,” Kandishaya said.

“On top of the $100k, you are allowed to get free health facility and medical at Arundel Hospital.”

 

Kandishaya also linked the initiative to broader national efforts, referencing recently announced presidential funding for football promotion.

 

He said retired footballers under the Footballers for Economic Development banner would be tasked with organizing tournaments from grassroots levels.

 

The event saw the attendance of former football icons such as Sunday Marimo and Evans Gwekerere.

 

Balon Chiseko, the National Chairman of Footballers4ED, explained the group’s purpose.

 

“The purpose of this organization is to remember every legend who contributed to the soccer fraternity of this country,” he said.

 

“We understand all former soccer players have various grievances but the initiative of this is to revive soccer through their knowledge.”

 

Former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa expressed gratitude for the recognition.

 

“Since his life this is the first time to gather for an initiative that remembers us,” he said.

 

“I want to thank the organizers of this initiative, we are ready to develop and revive football in Zimbabwe.”

 

The Footballers4ED group positions itself as an affiliate supporting Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Economic Development (ED) agenda.

 

The pledged funds are intended to catalyze entrepreneurial projects for the former athletes while mobilizing their expertise for grassroots football development.

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