FIFA conducted the draws for the European and intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup on November 20, 2025, in Zurich, setting the stage for six remaining qualification spots. Sixteen European teams will compete in four paths, while six non-European teams battle in two pathways hosted in Mexico. The winners will join 42 already qualified nations at the expanded tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
European Play-off Paths
The European play-offs feature 16 teams divided into four paths, each with two semi-finals and a final, all single-leg matches. Semi-finals are scheduled for March 26, 2026, and finals for March 31, 2026. Home advantage in semi-finals goes to seeded teams, while finals host is determined by draw.
Path A: Italy vs Northern Ireland; Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. Final: Winner of Wales/Bosnia (home) vs winner of Italy/Northern Ireland.
Path B: Ukraine vs Sweden; Poland vs Albania. Final: Winner of Ukraine/Sweden (home) vs winner of Poland/Albania.
Path C: Turkey vs Romania; Slovakia vs Kosovo. Final: Winner of Slovakia/Kosovo (home) vs winner of Turkey/Romania.
Path D: Denmark vs North Macedonia; Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland. Final: Winner of Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland (home) vs winner of Denmark/North Macedonia.
The 16 teams include 12 runners-up from European qualifying groups—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Türkiye, Ukraine, Wales—plus four from the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League: Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia.
Intercontinental Play-off Tournament
Six teams from AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC will contest two spots in Mexico during the March 2026 international window, in Guadalajara and Monterrey. Two highest-ranked teams, DR Congo and Iraq, receive byes to the finals.
Pathway 1: Semi-final: New Caledonia vs Jamaica. Final: Winner vs DR Congo.
Pathway 2: Semi-final: Bolivia vs Suriname. Final: Winner vs Iraq.
New Caledonia qualified as Oceania runners-up after a 3-0 loss to New Zealand. Jamaica and Suriname advanced as Concacaf's best second-place teams. Bolivia finished seventh in South American qualifying, while DR Congo eliminated Cameroon and Nigeria, and Iraq defeated United Arab Emirates.
New Caledonia coach Johann Sidaner noted, “New Caledonia has earned the right to play in this play-off match, and it will be a fantastic event for us,” acknowledging Jamaica's higher ranking but expressing determination despite preparation challenges.
The four European and two intercontinental winners will complete the 48-team field, entering Pot 4 for the December 5, 2026, group draw.
