The die is cast. While the identities of 42 of the 48 participants in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are now clear, those of the last six remain to be determined. However, the latter will not be revealed until next March, when the various play-offs are held. In the meantime, each of the 22 playoff teams now knows what lies ahead.
The full draw and schedule for the intercontinental playoffs
Starting with the six teams that qualified for the intercontinental playoffs, which will pit representatives from the five non-European associations against each other. CAF will be represented by the Democratic Republic of Congo, OFC by New Caledonia, CONMEBOL by Bolivia, ACF by Iraq, and Concacaf by Jamaica and Suriname.
As top seeds, DR Congo and Iraq will each face the winners of the semi-finals in their respective paths. The first, opposing New Caledonia and Jamaica, will determine the Leopards’ opponent, while the second, between Bolivia and Suriname, will decide the Lions of Mesopotamia’s opponent.
This mini-tournament will take place in Mexico, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, from 23 to 31 March 2026, at the end of which two new qualifiers will be known.
Intercontinental playoffs full draw
- Semifinal 1: New Caledonia vs Jamaica
- Final 1: DR Congo vs Semifinal 1 winner
- Semifinal 2: Bolivia vs Suriname
- Final 2: Iraq vs Semifinal 2 winner
The full draw and schedule for the European playoffs
Concerning the last four, their names will be known at the end of the European play-offs. Thus, the 16 teams still in the running — the 12 second-placed teams from the qualifying groups, as well as the four group winners from the UEFA Nations League with the highest FIFA rankings — have been divided into four tables, each comprising four participants.
Each of these tables, which includes two semi-finals pitting seeded teams against unseeded teams, and a final, will determine which countries will secure their place at the World Cup. Italy, Sweden, Poland, and Wales are among the big names vying for a spot.
European playoffs full draw
Table A
- Semifinal 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland
- Semifinal 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Final: Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy or Northern Ireland
Table B
- Semifinal 1: Ukraine vs Sweden
- Semifinal 2: Poland vs Albania
- Final: Ukraine or Sweden vs Poland or Albania
Table C
- Semifinal 1: Turkey vs Romania
- Semifinal 2: Slovakia vs Kosovo
- Final: Slovakia or Kosovo vs Turkey vs Romania
Table D
- Semifinal 1: Denmark vs North Macedonia
- Semifinal 2: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
- Final: Denmark or North Macedonia vs Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
