European Play-Off Tournament
The European Play-Off Tournament involves four pathways, each a bracket of four nations competing in semi-finals and a final, all of which are one-legged affairs.
Home advantage for the semi-finals was based on seedings, but via a draw for the finals. The four winners of each pathway qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The semi-finals will take place on March 26th, with the final matches on March 31st.
Play-off Path A
Semi-final 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final 2: Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
Final A: Winners of 2 (home team) vs Winners of 1
Play-off Path B
Semi-final 3: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final 4: Poland vs Albania
Final B: Winners of 3 (home team) vs Winners of 4
Play-off Path C
Semi-final 5: Turkey vs Romania
Semi-final 6: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final C: Winners of 6 (home team) vs Winners of 5
Play-off Path D
Semi-final 7: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final 8: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Final D: Winners of 8 (home team) vs Winners of 7
How do the European Play-Offs work? Here’s everything you need to know!FIFA Play-Off Tournament
The FIFA Play-Off Tournament will be held entirely in Mexico in March and involves six nations, all from non-UEFA confederations. There are two pathways, each involving one semi-final and a final.
The two highest-ranked nations in the tournament received a bye to the finals; the two semi-finals will determine who else features in the finals. The two final winners go to the World Cup.
The dates and times of the fixtures are yet to be determined, but they will all be in March 2026, staged in Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Pathway 1
Semi-final: New Caledonia (OFC) vs Jamaica (CONCACAF) (Match 1)
Final: Democratic Republic of Congo (CAF) vs Winners of Match 1
Pathway 2
Semi-final: Bolivia (CONMEBOL) vs Suriname (CONCACAF) (Match 2)
Final: Iraq (AFC) vs Winners of Match 2
How does the FIFA Play-Off Tournament work? Here’s everything you need to know!
