Boluwatife Kehinde
In the race for the final qualification places, FIFA has unveiled the matchups for both the inter-confederation and European playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The announcement was made at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
With 42 nations already through to the tournament via direct qualification, six more teams will secure their places through these playoffs—two from the inter-confederation path and four from the European route.
The inter-confederation draw features six teams representing four regions—CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, and the OFC—divided into two mini-brackets. The winners of each bracket will advance to the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Both the semi-finals and finals will be single-match ties, with the semi-finals set for Thursday, March 26, 2026, and the finals following on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. All inter-confederation playoff games will be held in Mexico.
Inter-Confederation Playoff Schedule
Semi-finals:
New Caledonia vs Jamaica
Bolivia vs Suriname
Finals:
New Caledonia/Jamaica vs DR Congo
Bolivia/Suriname vs Iraq
European Playoff Schedule
Semi-finals:
Path A
Italy vs Northern Ireland
Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Path B
Ukraine vs Sweden
Poland vs Albania
Path C
Turkey vs Romania
Slovakia vs Kosovo
Path D
Denmark vs North Macedonia
Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Finals:
Winner of Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Winner of Italy/Northern Ireland
Winner of Ukraine/Sweden vs Winner of Poland/Albania
Winner of Slovakia/Kosovo vs Winner of Turkey/Romania
Winner of Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland vs Winner of Denmark/North Macedonia
FIFA releases full line-up of 2026 world cup playoff fixtures
