How the final spots for the 2026 World Cup will be decided | OneFootball

The World Cup Qualifiers come to an end in Europe this Tuesday and in Central and North America (Concacaf) this Wednesday. However, the six teams that can secure the remaining spots for the World Cup will only be known a few months after the tournament’s group stage draw.

The World Cup groups will be determined on December 5. However, the playoffs for the World Cup will only take place during the FIFA window in March.

How the playoffs work

European playoffs

In Europe, four spots for the 2026 World Cup will be up for grabs. The playoffs are scheduled to take place on March 26 and 31.

The runners-up from the 12 European Qualifying groups will compete in the playoffs along with the best-ranked teams from the Nations League who did not finish first or second in their respective qualifying groups.

The teams will be divided into four groups, each forming a mini-tournament with a single-leg semifinal and final. So far, Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Albania, Czech Republic, Sweden, Romania, and Northern Ireland are already guaranteed a place in the playoffs. The other eight teams will be determined on Tuesday.

Intercontinental playoffs

The last two spots will be contested by six teams affiliated with Conmebol (South America), OFC (Oceania), CAF (Africa), Concacaf (Central and North America), and AFC (Asia) also between March 23 and 31.

Bolivia (Conmebol), New Caledonia (OFC), Democratic Republic of Congo (CAF), Iraq or United Arab Emirates (AFC), and two more teams from Concacaf, yet to be determined, will be divided into two groups, with the winner of each group qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

The draw for both playoffs will take place on Thursday at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.