Qualifying Playoffs

6 spots remain for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Four are decided through UEFA's playoff paths, and two through FIFA's intercontinental playoffs. All matches take place in Mexico on March 26 and 31, 2026.

📅

Semifinals: March 26 · Finals: March 31

All matches played in Mexico — Estadio Azteca & Estadio Akron

UEFA Playoffs

4 spots for European teams. Each path has two semifinals and a final — both played as single-leg matches in Mexico.

Path A

→ Group B
Semifinals — Mar 26
Italy vs Northern Ireland
Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
Final — Mar 31
SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner

Path B

→ Group G
Semifinals — Mar 26
Ukraine vs Belgium
Iceland vs Austria
Final — Mar 31
SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner

Path C

→ Group D
Semifinals — Mar 26
Denmark vs Czechia
North Macedonia vs Ireland
Final — Mar 31
SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner

Path D

→ Group E
Semifinals — Mar 26
Turkey vs Romania
Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final — Mar 31
SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner

FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs

2 spots for teams from different confederations. Semifinal → Final format, single-leg matches in Mexico.

Playoff 1

→ Group K
Semifinal — Mar 26
New Caledonia vs Jamaica
Final — Mar 31
Winner vs DR Congo
Winner qualifies for Group K

Playoff 2

→ Group I
Semifinal — Mar 26
Bolivia vs Suriname
Final — Mar 31
Winner vs Iraq
Winner qualifies for Group I

How Playoffs Affect the Groups

Six of the twelve World Cup groups have a spot reserved for a playoff winner. The outcome of these matches will dramatically reshape group dynamics — imagine Italy landing in Group B alongside Canada, versus Northern Ireland or Wales getting through instead.

Groups Waiting on Results

  • Group B ← UEFA Path A (Italy/N.Ireland/Wales/Bosnia)
  • Group D ← UEFA Path C (Denmark/Czechia/N.Macedonia/Ireland)
  • Group E ← UEFA Path D (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
  • Group G ← UEFA Path B (Ukraine/Belgium/Iceland/Austria)
  • Group I ← FIFA Playoff 2 (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq)
  • Group K ← FIFA Playoff 1 (New Caledonia/Jamaica/DR Congo)

Groups Already Set

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the World Cup 2026 qualifying playoffs?
Semifinals are on March 26, 2026 and finals on March 31, 2026. All matches are played as single-leg fixtures in Mexico.
How many spots are left for the World Cup 2026?
6 spots remain. 42 of 48 teams have already qualified. The last 6 will be decided through 4 UEFA playoff paths and 2 FIFA intercontinental playoffs.
Where are the qualifying playoffs being played?
All qualifying playoff matches are being held in Mexico, at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) and Estadio Akron (Guadalajara). This is the first time World Cup qualifying playoffs have been held in a host country.
Can Italy still qualify for the World Cup 2026?
Yes. Italy are in UEFA Playoff Path A, facing Northern Ireland in the semifinal on March 26. If they win, they play the winner of Wales vs Bosnia in the final on March 31. The winner joins Group B alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland.

Make Your Predictions

Once all 48 teams are confirmed, predict every match of the World Cup 2026.

View All Fixtures