The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament took place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland (20/11/2025).
There were two separate draws:
- International Play-Off Draw
- European Section Draw
International Play-Off Draw
Six teams from five confederations—AFC, CONCACAF, CAF, OFC, and CONMEBOL—will compete for two remaining World Cup spots. This section features two paths, each producing one qualifier.
- Seeded Teams:
Iraq and DR Congo are seeded as the two highest-ranked teams in the latest FIFA rankings. They advance directly to the final of their respective paths. - Other Participants:
Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname, and New Caledonia will contest the semi-finals for a chance to face the seeded teams.
Draw Results:
- Path 1:
- Semi-final: New Caledonia vs Jamaica
- Final: Winner vs DR Congo
- Path 2:
- Semi-final: Bolivia vs Suriname
- Final: Winner vs Iraq
All matches will be played in Mexico, specifically in Guadalajara and Monterrey, both host cities for the tournament proper. The semi-finals are slated for 23 March and the finals for 31 March 2026.
European Play-Off Draw
The main talking point of this draw is Italy. For the third consecutive time, the Azzurri find themselves in the World Cup qualifying play-offs. Their recent history in this stage has been disappointing:
- 2018: Lost to Sweden
- 2022: Shock defeat to North Macedonia
Interestingly, both of those teams are also in this year’s play-offs. However, after the draw, Italy avoided their past nemeses. They will face Northern Ireland in the semi-final of Path A. If they win, they will meet either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final.
The European semi-finals will take place on Thursday 26 March, with the finals the following Tuesday 31 March 2026.
Confirmed Play-Off Paths
Path A
- SF1: Italy vs Northern Ireland
- SF2: Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Path B
- SF3: Ukraine vs Sweden
- SF4: Poland vs Albania
Path C
- SF5: Turkey vs Romania
- SF6: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Path D
- SF7: Denmark vs North Macedonia
- SF8: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Finals Draw
- Path A Final: Winner of SF2 (Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina) hosts winner of SF1 (Italy/Northern Ireland).
- Path B Final: Winner of SF3 (Ukraine/Sweden) hosts winner of SF4 (Poland/Albania).
- Path C Final: Winner of SF6 (Slovakia/Kosovo) hosts winner of SF5 (Turkey/Romania).
- Path D Final: Winner of SF8 (Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland) hosts winner of SF7 (Denmark/North Macedonia).
