Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on March 31 with intercontinental playoffs and UEFA paths determining the final berths after nearly 900 matches across confederations. Automatic qualifiers from CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF, and UEFA groups, plus co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, locked in early spots, while late surges by teams like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Türkiye, Czechia, DR Congo, and Iraq shifted implied probabilities in final windows. Debutants including Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, alongside returns for DR Congo and Qatar's first successful campaign, reflected strong recent form and head-to-head edges in decisive fixtures. Italy's playoff exit highlighted persistent barriers for higher-ranked sides, with the wisdom of crowds pricing favorites based on official FIFA reports, standings, and schedule strength through early 2026. No major roster or injury developments have altered the field since the draw.