The race for the final six spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a dramatic conclusion this March. Two separate playoff tournaments will determine which nations complete the 48-team lineup for the historic tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
European Teams Battle for Four Coveted Slots
The UEFA playoffs present a high-stakes pathway for European nations. This tournament will feature 16 countries competing for just four World Cup qualifications. The field comprises twelve runners-up from the European qualifying groups and the four highest-ranked UEFA Nations League group winners who did not secure a top-two finish in their regular qualifying groups.
The twelve runners-up advancing are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Ireland, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Wales. They are joined by four teams who qualified via the Nations League route: Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, and North Macedonia.
Teams will be sorted into pots based on their FIFA rankings, with the top eight teams receiving a seeded status. The four top-seeded teams—Italy, Denmark, Turkey, and Ukraine—are set to face the Nations League qualifiers in the semifinal round. The remaining seeded teams are Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Eight semifinal matches are scheduled for March 26, with all seeded teams enjoying the home advantage. The victorious teams will then progress to four finals on March 31, where the winners will officially book their tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
Global Showdown in Intercontinental Playoffs
Simultaneously, the intercontinental playoffs will offer a last chance for teams from across the globe. This tournament involves six teams fighting for the final two spots in the World Cup. The participants represent every FIFA confederation except Europe.
The competing nations are: Iraq from Asia (AFC), Congo from Africa (CAF), Jamaica and Suriname from North America (CONCACAF), Bolivia from South America (CONMEBOL), and New Caledonia from Oceania (OFC).
In a significant advantage, the two highest-ranked teams—Iraq and Congo—have been seeded and will receive a bye directly to the playoff finals. The other four teams will first compete in semifinal matches. The winners of these semifinals will then challenge the seeded teams in the finals for a place in the World Cup.
The entire international playoff series is set to take place between March 23 and March 31.
Road to the Expanded World Cup
These playoff tournaments mark the final chapter in the qualification saga for the first 48-team World Cup. The six successful teams will join the 42 nations that have already secured their qualification.
Football fans should mark their calendars for the World Cup final draw on December 5 in Washington DC. This event will set the stage for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, 2026, and culminates with the final on July 19, 2026.
