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2026 World Cup Playoffs: Dates, Schedule, Teams Involved
We’re edging closer to the magic figure of 48, but we won’t know the final six teams to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup until March 2026.
While qualifying is winding down across the globe, several nations still have plenty of work to do if they’re to book their place at next summer’s tournament. For some, the playoffs represent a nervy burden, while others are absolutely thrilled to have their World Cup hopes alive and kicking.
UEFA’s sizable representation at the 2026 World Cup means they’ll stage their own playoffs, as they did in 2022, while those who scraped out of their respective qualifying processes around the rest of the world will be involved in FIFA’s inter-confederation playoffs.
Thus, the drama and excitement of World Cup qualifying isn’t over, with potentially the most euphoric moments yet to arrive.
Here‘s everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup playoffs.
When Are the 2026 World Cup UEFA Playoffs?
The playoffs that will determine the final four nations from UEFA to qualify for the 2026 World Cup will take place over five days in March 2026.
The semifinals in each of the four paths take place on Mar. 26, and the respective finals will be held five days later on Mar. 31.
What Teams Are Involved in the UEFA Playoffs?
There are 16 European nations involved in total, with the 12 qualifying group runners-up being joined by the four highest-ranked 2024–25 UEFA Nations League group winners who failed to finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group.
Slovakia, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Italy, Albania, Czechia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales, Kosovo, Türkiye and Denmark qualified for the playoffs as group runners-up.
Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland are the four Nations League group winners to make the playoffs.
- Slovakia
- Ukraine
- Republic of Ireland
- Poland
- Italy
- Albania
- Czechia
- Romania
- Sweden
- Northern Ireland
- Denmark
- Türkiye
- Kosovo
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Wales
- North Macedonia
UEFA Playoffs Schedule
Path A
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26, 2026 | Italy vs. Northern Ireland | Semifinal 1 |
March 26, 2026 | Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | Semifinal 2 |
March 31, 2026 | Winner SF 2 vs. Winner SF 1 | Final |
Path B
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Ukraine vs. Sweden | Semifinal 3 |
March 26 | Poland vs. Albania | Semifinal 4 |
March 31 | Winner SF 3 vs. Winner SF 4 | Final |
Path C
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Türkiye vs. Romania | Semifinal 5 |
March 26 | Slovakia vs. Kosovo | Semifinal 6 |
March 31 | Winner SF 6 vs. Winner SF 5 | Final |
Path D
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Denmark vs. North Macedonia | Semifinal 7 |
March 26 | Czechia vs. Republic of Ireland | Semifinal 8 |
March 31 | Winner SF 8 vs. Winner SF 7 | Final |
When Are the 2026 World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs?
The 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs will be held in March 2026, with specific dates for the semifinals and final in each pathway yet to be confirmed.
Mexico will host the playoffs, with the four games taking place at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
What Teams Are Involved in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs?
Six non-UEFA members will participate in the inter-confederation playoffs, with AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC each having one representative. CONCACAF, though, will have two.
The DR Congo advanced from CAF’s playoffs in November, Bolivia qualified by finishing seventh in CONMEBOL’s qualifying table, while New Caledonia were beaten by New Zealand with a spot in the finals at stake.
Iraq advanced from the AFC, while Jamaica and Suriname represent CONCACAF.
- DR Congo
- Bolivia
- New Caledonia
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Suriname
Inter-Confederation Playoffs Schedule
Path 1
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
TBC March 2026 | New Caledonia vs. Jamaica | Semifinal 1 |
TBC March 2026 | DR Congo vs. SF 1 Winner | Final |
Path 2
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
TBC March 2026 | Bolivia vs. Suriname | Semifinal 2 |
TBC March 2026 | Iraq vs. SF 2 Winner | Final |
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & ANALYSIS HERE
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We’re edging closer to the magic figure of 48, but we won’t know the final six teams to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup until March 2026.
While qualifying is winding down across the globe, several nations still have plenty of work to do if they’re to book their place at next summer’s tournament. For some, the playoffs represent a nervy burden, while others are absolutely thrilled to have their World Cup hopes alive and kicking.
UEFA’s sizable representation at the 2026 World Cup means they’ll stage their own playoffs, as they did in 2022, while those who scraped out of their respective qualifying processes around the rest of the world will be involved in FIFA’s inter-confederation playoffs.
Thus, the drama and excitement of World Cup qualifying isn’t over, with potentially the most euphoric moments yet to arrive.
Here‘s everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup playoffs.
Jump To:
When Are the 2026 World Cup UEFA Playoffs?
The playoffs that will determine the final four nations from UEFA to qualify for the 2026 World Cup will take place over five days in March 2026.
The semifinals in each of the four paths take place on Mar. 26, and the respective finals will be held five days later on Mar. 31.
What Teams Are Involved in the UEFA Playoffs?
There are 16 European nations involved in total, with the 12 qualifying group runners-up being joined by the four highest-ranked 2024–25 UEFA Nations League group winners who failed to finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group.
Slovakia, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Italy, Albania, Czechia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales, Kosovo, Türkiye and Denmark qualified for the playoffs as group runners-up.
Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland are the four Nations League group winners to make the playoffs.
- Slovakia
- Ukraine
- Republic of Ireland
- Poland
- Italy
- Albania
- Czechia
- Romania
- Sweden
- Northern Ireland
- Denmark
- Türkiye
- Kosovo
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Wales
- North Macedonia
UEFA Playoffs Schedule
Path A
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26, 2026 | Italy vs. Northern Ireland | Semifinal 1 |
March 26, 2026 | Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | Semifinal 2 |
March 31, 2026 | Winner SF 2 vs. Winner SF 1 | Final |
Path B
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Ukraine vs. Sweden | Semifinal 3 |
March 26 | Poland vs. Albania | Semifinal 4 |
March 31 | Winner SF 3 vs. Winner SF 4 | Final |
Path C
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Türkiye vs. Romania | Semifinal 5 |
March 26 | Slovakia vs. Kosovo | Semifinal 6 |
March 31 | Winner SF 6 vs. Winner SF 5 | Final |
Path D
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
March 26 | Denmark vs. North Macedonia | Semifinal 7 |
March 26 | Czechia vs. Republic of Ireland | Semifinal 8 |
March 31 | Winner SF 8 vs. Winner SF 7 | Final |
When Are the 2026 World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs?
The 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs will be held in March 2026, with specific dates for the semifinals and final in each pathway yet to be confirmed.
Mexico will host the playoffs, with the four games taking place at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
What Teams Are Involved in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs?
Six non-UEFA members will participate in the inter-confederation playoffs, with AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC each having one representative. CONCACAF, though, will have two.
The DR Congo advanced from CAF’s playoffs in November, Bolivia qualified by finishing seventh in CONMEBOL’s qualifying table, while New Caledonia were beaten by New Zealand with a spot in the finals at stake.
Iraq advanced from the AFC, while Jamaica and Suriname represent CONCACAF.
- DR Congo
- Bolivia
- New Caledonia
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Suriname
The two CONCACAF teams who make the inter-confederation playoffs will be drawn into separate pathways.
Inter-Confederation Playoffs Schedule
Path 1
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
TBC March 2026 | Playoff Team 1 vs. Playoff Team 2 | Semifinal |
TBC March 2026 | Team Seeded First vs. Winner of Semifinal | Final |
Path 2
Date | Fixture | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|
TBC March 2026 | Playoff Team 3 vs. Playoff Team 4 | Semifinal |
TBC March 2026 | Team Seeded Second vs. Winner of Semifinal | Final |
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & ANALYSIS HERE
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James Cormack is a Sports Illustrated Soccer freelance writer with an avid interest in tactical and player analysis. As well as supporting Spurs religiously, he follows Italian and German football, taking particular interest in the work of Antonio Conte & Julian Nagelsmann.