Intercontinental Finals: Congo v Jamaica; Iraq v Bolivia Fight For Last Two World Cup Spots | OneFootball

By the time the spotlight shifts away from the UEFA playoff matches that will determine Europe’s final World Cup spots, there will still be two tickets left to hand out. These will be contested by less glamorous teams that, while many might dismiss them as mere filler, are required by regulation to round out the 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup.

No doubt on Tuesday the world’s attention will be on Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy, where the Azzurri will be chasing their first World Cup qualification since 2014. There will also be interest in Czechia vs. Denmark, as that matchup will determine Mexico’s opponent in Group A. Meanwhile, Kosovo vs. Turkey will decide who lands in the United States’ Group D, making it another game worth watching.

But later on, in northern and western Mexico, the final two tickets will be decided. And while many may not care who qualifies, millions across Africa, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean will be glued to what unfolds on Mexican soil.

The road to the 2026 World Cup reaches its decisive stage with the intercontinental playoffs set to be played in Mexico. Bolivia will face Iraq in Monterrey. Jamaica takes on the Democratic Republic of Congo in Guadalajara. Both matches offer a direct spot at the World Cup and represent the last chance for these teams to book their place at football’s biggest stage.

JAMAICA VS. CONGO IN GUADALAJARA

On the other side, Jamaica is aiming to return to the World Cup after nearly three decades, having last appeared in France 1998. The Caribbean side features several Premier League players who bring attacking quality, which wasn’t on display in their last fixture. They just squeaked past a surprisingly stubborn New Caledonia team 2-0.

Standing in their way is the Democratic Republic of Congo, which hasn’t appeared in a World Cup since 1974. The match will take place at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara on March 31 at 5:00 p.m. (ET) / 2:00 p.m. (PT). The prize? A spot in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, where they could face Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodríguez—quite possibly in their final World Cup appearances.

BOLIVIA VS. IRAQ IN MONTERREY

Bolivia arrives with confidence after coming from behind to defeat Suriname 2-1 in the previous round and dreams of a historic qualification outside the CONMEBOL pathway. South America. Their opponent, Iraq, comes in as a defensively solid side with continental experience, promising a tightly contested clash.

The match will be played at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey on March 31 at 11:00 p.m. (CT) / 8:00 p.m. (PT). The winner will claim one of the final World Cup spots and be placed in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway. Beyond the ticket, there’s also the “reward” of facing Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Sadio Mané on the biggest stage.

FIGHT FOR THE LAST SPOTS

These matches will not only determine the fate of four national teams but will also complete the lineup for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA chose Mexico, as co-host alongside the United States and Canada, to stage these playoffs, adding an extra layer of intrigue for local fans.

Additionally, around 5,000 Iraqi supporters are expected to arrive in Mexico in the coming hours to back their team against Bolivia, which already has a strong fan presence in Monterrey following its win over Suriname.

Surprisingly, Mexican fans have shown tremendous support for these matches, as both games scheduled for tomorrow have already been announced as completely sold out. Not a single seat will be available for two high-stakes clashes in which 11 players on each side will fight for the glory of reaching the World Cup. The losers will head home and may never again play in stadiums as important and large as those in Guadalajara and Monterrey—venues that, this June, will host major World Cup matches.

With Bolivia, Iraq, Jamaica, and Congo in the mix, world football will witness two finals that—for them—are anything but filler.