Friday afternoon in the nation's capital, the path to the 2026 World Cup will become clearer for 42 of the 48 teams competing in this year's extravaganza.

Tulane won the American in 2022, but the CFP had yet to expand, and the Green Wave thus secured a berth in a non-playoff-affiliated Cotton Bowl. If North Texas wins this title bout, it will be a first-time American champion and a league champion regardless of affiliation for the first time since 2004.