FIFA World Cup 2026 play-offs

Six places remain for teams at the FIFA World Cup in North America. Eligible teams
must win two further matches – a play-off semi-final and final – to secure their spot

Italy, coached by
Gennaro Gattuso,
face crucial tie
with Northern
Ireland, aiming to
avoid failing to reach
third successive FIFA World Cup

UEFA European play-offs
Semi-final matches: Mar 26. Final: Mar 31

PATH A
Winners advance to Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland

Wales			Head-to-head: W0-D2-L2	Bosnia-Herz.
Quarter-final 1958	World Cup best		Group stage 2014

Italy			W7-D3-L1			Northern Ireland
4-time winner					Quarter-final 1958

PATH B
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia

Ukraine			W4-D0-L1			Sweden
Quarter-final 2006				Final 1958

Poland			W10-D3-L2		Albania
Third place 1974, 1982				–

PATH C
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia

Slovakia			First meeting		Kosovo
Final 1934, 1962 (as Czechoslovakia)		–

Türkiye			W5-D8-L14		Romania
Third place 2002					Quarter-final 1994

PATH D
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea

Czechia			W4-D2-L2			Republic of Ireland
Final 1934, 1962 (as Czechoslovakia)		Quarter-final 1990

Denmark			W1-D1-L1			North Macedonia
Quarter-final 1998				–


FIFA Inter-confederation play-offs
PATH 1

N.Caledonia		First meeting		Jamaica
–						Group stage 1998

Final:
New Caledonia					DR Congo
/ Jamaica					Group stage 1974
K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia

PATH 2
Bolivia			First meeting		Suriname
3-time group stage				–

Final:
Bolivia /					Iraq
Suriname						Group stage 1986
I: France, Senegal, Norway

Source: FIFA
Picture: Getty Images
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