The race to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is reaching its final stage. Only 6 spots remain and they will be decided between March 26 and April 1, 2026.

The remaining places will be filled through UEFA’s 16-team play-offs and FIFA’s 6-team Play-Off Tournament in Mexico.

4 teams will qualify from Europe, while the final 2 spots will come from the intercontinental play-offs.

FIFA World Cup 2026: European Play-offs 

The European play-offs will decide 4 of the final 6 spots for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

A total of 16 teams are competing. They are divided into 4 separate paths. Each path includes:

• Two single-leg semi-finals
• One single-leg final

Teams must win two knockout matches to qualify.

Higher-ranked teams host the semi-finals. The hosts for the finals were decided by a draw in November 2025.

Teams in European Play-offs

The 16 teams are:

Group Stage Runners-up

Slovakia, Kosovo, Denmark, Ukraine, Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Wales, Albania and Czechia.

UEFA Nations League Qualifiers

Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland.

These Nations League teams earned a second chance after not finishing in the top two of their qualifying groups.

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FIFA World Cup 2026: European Play-off Schedule

Path A

Semi-finals – March 26, 2026
Italy vs Northern Ireland
Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Final – March 31, 2026
Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy/Northern Ireland

Path B

Semi-finals – March 26, 2026
Ukraine vs Sweden
Poland vs Albania

Final – March 31, 2026
Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania

Path C

Semi-finals – March 26, 2026
Turkey vs Romania
Slovakia vs Kosovo

Final – March 31, 2026
Slovakia/Kosovo vs Turkey/Romania

Path D

Semi-finals – March 26, 2026
Denmark vs North Macedonia
Czechia vs Republic of Ireland

Final – March 31, 2026
Czechia/Republic of Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Intercontinental Play-Offs

Alongside Europe, the final 2 spots for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be decided in a 6-team tournament in Mexico.

Matches will take place in Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Teams Involved

Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.

Format Explained

The format is simple:

• The two highest-ranked teams (based on FIFA rankings in November 2025) go straight to the finals of each pathway
• The remaining teams play semi-finals
• Winners of each pathway qualify for the World Cup

Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq are already in the pathway finals.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Play-Off Tournament Schedule

Pathway 1

Semi-final – March 27, 2026
New Caledonia vs Jamaica

Final – March 31, 2026
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs winner of New Caledonia vs Jamaica

Pathway 2

Semi-final – March 26, 2026
Bolivia vs Suriname

Final – April 1, 2026
Iraq vs winner of Bolivia vs Suriname

With just 6 places left, every match becomes a knockout battle. Teams have no margin for error.

Europe will send 4 more teams, while the intercontinental tournament will complete the final lineup. Click here to make your predictions during the Qualifiers.

By early April, all FIFA World Cup 2026 spots will be confirmed.