The lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoffs has now been fully determined, with six nations officially securing their places in the decisive qualification tournament.
The teams set to contest the mini-tournament in Mexico in March 2026 are Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname. These sides will battle for the remaining World Cup slots available through the inter-confederation pathway.
Their confirmation comes on the same night that the number of countries with automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup rose to 42, as more national teams booked their tickets to next year’s expanded global showpiece.
The final six positions for the tournament will be decided in March 2026, when both the UEFA playoffs and the inter-confederation playoffs are completed.
FIFA has also announced that the European playoff draw will take place on Thursday, November 20, at its headquarters, setting the stage for the last phase of Europe’s qualification journey.
Teams already guaranteed places in the UEFA play-offs as runners-up during the European Qualifiers include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Wales.
Additionally, four nations have secured playoff berths through the UEFA Nations League pathway: Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, and North Macedonia.
With the World Cup edging closer, these playoff clashes will determine the last nations to join the expanded 48-team tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, heightening anticipation across global football.
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