Battle for the Final Spots: Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 World Cup Playoffs
We're approaching the crucial number of 48, but the identity of the last six nations to secure spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup won't be revealed until March 2026.
As qualification campaigns conclude worldwide, numerous countries still face significant challenges to secure their tournament berths. For some teams, the playoff stage presents an anxious challenge, while others are delighted to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
UEFA's substantial allocation for the 2026 World Cup means they'll organize their own playoff system, similar to their 2022 approach, while teams that emerged from qualifying processes in other confederations will participate in FIFA's inter-confederation playoff matches.
Therefore, the excitement and tension of World Cup qualification continues, with potentially the most thrilling moments still ahead.
Here's your complete guide to the 2026 World Cup playoff system.
When Are the 2026 World Cup UEFA Playoffs?
The playoff matches that will decide the final four European teams to reach the 2026 World Cup are scheduled across five days in March 2026.
The semifinal rounds in each of the four pathways will occur on March 26, while the corresponding finals are set for March 31.
What Teams Are Involved in the UEFA Playoffs?
Sixteen European countries will participate in total, with the 12 group runners-up from qualifying joined by the four top-ranked 2024–25 UEFA Nations League group champions who didn't secure top-two finishes in their World Cup qualifying groups.
Slovakia, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Italy, Albania and Czechia have been confirmed as group runners-up thus far. Romania, Sweden and Northern Ireland are the Nations League group winners who've earned playoff spots.
The final six teams for the playoffs will be determined on Tuesday evening.
When Is the UEFA Playoffs Draw?
UEFA's World Cup playoff draw is scheduled for Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday, November 20. The ceremony is expected to begin at 1 p.m. CET / noon BST / 7 a.m. ET.
The 16 teams will be separated into four groups of four, with the four Nations League group winners placed in Pot 4. The remaining teams will be distributed across Pots 1 to 3 according to FIFA world rankings. The four top-ranked nations will go to Pot 1, with the four lowest-ranked in Pot 3.
One team from each pot will be selected for one of four pathways (A, B, C or D), creating four-team groups for each path. Two semifinal matches will be played, with the Pot 1 team meeting the Pot 4 team and Pot 2 confronting Pot 3.
The semifinal winners progress to the final, with each pathway champion earning 2026 World Cup qualification.
UEFA Playoffs Schedule
Path A
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Pot 1 Team vs. Pot 4 Team | Semifinal 1 |
March 26 | Pot 2 Team vs. Pot 3 Team | Semifinal 2 |
March 31 | Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2 | Final |
Path B
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Pot 1 Team vs. Pot 4 Team | Semifinal 3 |
March 26 | Pot 2 Team vs. Pot 3 Team | Semifinal 4 |
March 31 | Winner SF 3 vs. Winner SF 4 | Final |
Path C
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Pot 1 Team vs. Pot 4 Team | Semifinal 5 |
March 26 | Pot 2 Team vs. Pot 3 Team | Semifinal 6 |
March 31 | Winner SF 5 vs. Winner SF 6 | Final |
Path D
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Pot 1 Team vs. Pot 4 Team | Semifinal 7 |
March 26 | Pot 2 Team vs. Pot 3 Team | Semifinal 8 |
March 31 | Winner SF 7 vs. Winner SF 8 | Final |
When Are the 2026 World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs?
The 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs are scheduled for March 2026, with exact dates for the semifinals and finals in each pathway still to be announced.
Mexico is reportedly set to host these playoffs, with the four matches taking place at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
What Teams Are Involved in the Inter-Confederation Play-offs?
Six non-European teams will compete in the inter-confederation playoffs, with AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC each providing one representative. CONCACAF will contribute two teams.
DR Congo progressed through CAF's November playoffs, Bolivia qualified by placing seventh in CONMEBOL's qualifying standings, while New Caledonia lost to New Zealand in their bid for a finals spot.
Either United Arab Emirates or Iraq will emerge from the AFC, while several outcomes remain undecided in CONCACAF's final qualifying round.
When is the Inter-Confederation Playoffs Draw?
The inter-confederation playoffs draw will occur simultaneously with UEFA's playoff draw, also in Zurich, Switzerland. The scheduled start time is 1 p.m. CET / noon BST / 7 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 20.
The six teams will be divided into seeded and unseeded categories, with the two seeded nations being the highest-ranked according to FIFA world rankings. They'll proceed directly to the final in each pathway, while the four unseeded teams will be matched against each other in two semifinal contests.
The semifinal winners will advance to compete in either Pathway 1 or 2 finals, where they'll face one of the seeded teams. The final winners from each pathway will secure 2026 World Cup places.
The two CONCACAF representatives in the inter-confederation playoffs will be placed in different pathways.
Inter-Confederation Playoffs Schedule
Path 1
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
TBC March 2026 | Playoff Team 1 vs. Playoff Team 2 | Semifinal |
TBC March 2026 | Team Seeded First vs. Winner of Semifinal | Final |
Path 2
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
TBC March 2026 | Playoff Team 3 vs. Playoff Team 4 | Semifinal |
TBC March 2026 | Team Seeded Second vs. Winner of Semifinal | Final |
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