The qualification cycle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost at an end, with 42 of the 48 teams competing in next year’s tournament now known.
The remaining places will be filled by the winners of the six playoff pathways in the UEFA and intercontinental sections.
Europe’s playoff tournament will feature the likes of four-time world champions Italy and will offer four teams the chance to qualify for next year’s finals via four brackets. The inter-confederation setup sees representatives from AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and OFC compete for two spots in the group stage.
The draw for these playoff brackets takes place today in Zurich, Switzerland. The Sporting News has the latest updates.
MORE: How the World Cup playoffs work
World Cup 2026 live playoffs draw
All times ET
6:19 a.m.: If you needed a reminder, these are the teams who have already qualified for next year’s World Cup. The playoffs will fill the final six spots. Italy are the biggest name among those still hoping to get there: they can’t miss the finals for the third time running, surely…?
The draw is due to start in a little over 30 minutes.
5:40 a.m.: Today’s proceedings will see the two different playoff draws take place back to back, so all teams involved will know their pathway towards World Cup qualification. Here is how all that works.
As a reminder, the World Cup group-stage draw is on December 5.
5 a.m.: Welcome to today’s World Cup playoffs draw! The ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland will determine the pathways for both the European and inter-confederation tournaments, which will take place next March.
Teams in the World Cup playoffs
Six teams will contest the intercontinental playoff, producing the final two World Cup participants. In the UEFA edition, 16 teams will compete for another two spots in the tournament proper.
UEFA
| Nation | Qualified via | FIFA rank |
| Slovakia | Group A runner-up | 46 |
| Kosovo | Group B runner-up | 84 |
| Denmark | Group C runner-up | 20 |
| Ukraine | Group D runner-up | 27 |
| Turkey | Group E runner-up | 26 |
| Rep. of Ireland | Group F runner-up | 62 |
| Poland | Group G runner-up | 33 |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Group H runner-up | 75 |
| Italy | Group I runner-up | 9 |
| Wales | Group J runner-up | 34 |
| Albania | Group K runner-up | 61 |
| Czechia | Group L runner-up | 44 |
| Romania | UEFA Nations League | 47 |
| Sweden | UEFA Nations League | 40 |
| Northern Ireland | UEFA Nations League | 69 |
| North Macedonia | UEFA Nations League | 65 |
Intercontinental
| Nation | Confederation | Qualified via | FIFA rank |
| Iraq | AFC | AFC playoff winner | 57 |
| DR Congo | CAF | CAF playoff winner | 60 |
| Jamaica | CONCACAF | Highest-ranking group runner-up | 68 |
| Suriname | CONCACAF | Second highest-ranking group runner-up | 126 |
| Bolivia | CONMEBOL | Seventh-place finisher | 76 |
| New Caledonia | OFC | Qualifying tournament runner-up | 150 |
MORE: All you need to know about December’s World Cup draw
World Cup 2026 playoffs schedule, brackets
The Sporting News will update this page when the draw has concluded and the pathways through the two playoff tournaments have been set.
UEFA playoffs schedule
The semifinals are projected to take place on March 26, 2026, with the finals of each pathway on March 31.
Pathway 1
Semifinal
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Final
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 31, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Pathway 2
Semifinal
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Final
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 31, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Pathway 3
Semifinal
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Final
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 31, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Pathway 4
Semifinal
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| March 26, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Final
| Date | Match | Location |
| March 31, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Intercontinental playoffs schedule
We knew before the draw that DR Congo and Iraq have received byes to the final of their respective pathways as the highest-ranked teams involved.
All games are expected to be staged in Mexico, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
Pathway 1
Semifinal
| Date | Match | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | TBD | TBA |
| March 2026 | TBD | TBA |
Final
| Date | Match | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | DR Congo vs. Semifinal winner | TBA |
Pathway 2
Semifinal
| Date | Match | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | TBD | TBA |
| March 2026 | TBD | TBA |
Final
| Date | Match | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Iraq vs. Semifinal winner | TBA |
MORE: Updated list of teams to have qualified for the biggest World Cup ever
When are the World Cup playoffs match dates confirmed?
The precise date and kickoff times of the games should be confirmed in the 48 hours following Thursday’s draw.
When is the World Cup group-stage draw?
The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup is on December 5, 2025. It will be held in the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. at 12 p.m. ET.
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
The opening game of the World Cup will take place on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford on July 19.
