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FIFA World Cup 2026: Final chance for 22 teams to grab remaining 6 spots | Football News
The race to complete the lineup for the historic 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 is reaching its climax. Six remaining spots will be decided through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament and the UEFA play-offs. Alongside confirming the final participants, this decisive window will also lock in the tournament schedule for the competition in North America.
With high stakes and intense matchups ahead, 22 teams across continents are preparing for defining moments that could secure their place on football’s biggest stage.
FIFA Play-Off Tournament
|
FIFA World Cup playoffs Path 1 schedule |
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Stage |
Date |
Match |
Stakes |
|
Semi-final |
26/03/26 |
New Caledonia vs Jamaica |
Winner advances to final |
|
Final |
31/03/26 |
Winner of Semi-final vs DR Congo |
Winner qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026 |
New Caledonia will take on Jamaica in the semi-final on 26 March. The winner advances to face DR Congo in the final on 31 March. New Caledonia are chasing a historic first-ever World Cup qualification. Jamaica last featured in the tournament in 1998. DR Congo, formerly known as Zaire, made their only appearance back in 1974.
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FIFA World Cup playoffs Path 2 schedule |
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Stage |
Date |
Match |
Stakes |
|
Semi-final |
26/03/26 |
Bolivia vs Suriname |
Bolivia chasing 4th WC; Suriname aiming for debut |
|
Final |
31/03/26 |
Winner of Semi-final vs Iraq |
Winner qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026 (Iraq last appeared in 1986) |
Bolivia, aiming to return to the World Cup for the fourth time (after 1930, 1950, and 1994), must first get past Suriname, a team hoping to qualify for the very first time.
The winner of this encounter will then face Iraq in the final. Iraq’s only World Cup appearance came in 1986.
UEFA Play-Offs
|
FIFA World Cup playoffs (UEFA) Path A schedule |
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|
Stage |
Date |
Match |
Stakes |
|
Semi-final 1 |
26/03/26 |
Italy vs Northern Ireland |
Italy aiming to avoid third straight WC absence |
|
Semi-final 2 |
26/03/26 |
Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Winner advances to final |
|
Final |
31/03/26 |
Italy/Northern Ireland winner vs Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina winner |
Winner qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026 |
|
FIFA World Cup playoffs (UEFA) Path B schedule |
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|
Stage |
Date |
Match |
Stakes |
|
Semi-final 1 |
26/03/26 |
Sweden vs Ukraine |
Winner advances to final |
|
Semi-final 2 |
26/03/26 |
Poland vs Albania |
Albania chasing first-ever World Cup spot |
|
Final |
31/03/26 |
Sweden/Ukraine winner vs Poland/Albania winner |
Winner qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026 |
Sweden will battle Ukraine in one semi-final, while Poland, led by star striker Robert Lewandowski, take on Albania. Notably, Albania are the only team in this group yet to qualify for a World Cup.
|
FIFA World Cup playoffs (UEFA) Path C schedule |
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|
Stage |
Date |
Match |
Notes |
|
Semi-final 1 |
26/03/26 |
Norway / Austria / Scotland vs Türkiye |
Teams aiming to return after long absences (Norway, Austria, Scotland since 1998; Türkiye since 2002) |
|
Semi-final 2 |
26/03/26 |
Slovakia vs Kosovo |
Kosovo aiming for historic World Cup debut |
|
Final |
31/03/26 |
Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2 |
Winner qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026 |
Several teams are eyeing a return after long absences. While Norway, Austria, and Scotland have not featured since 1998, Romania must also first overcome Türkiye, who last appeared in 2002.
In the other tie, Slovakia face Kosovo, with the latter hoping to secure a historic debut qualification.
|
FIFA World Cup playoffs (UEFA) Path D schedule |
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|
Stage |
Date |
Match |
Stakes |
|
Semi-final 1 |
26/03/26 |
Denmark vs North Macedonia |
Denmark seeking another chance after missing direct qualification |
|
Semi-final 2 |
26/03/26 |
Czechia vs Republic of Ireland |
Ireland aiming to return to World Cup for first time since 2002 |
|
Final |
31/03/26 |
Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2 |
Winner qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026 |
Denmark, who narrowly missed direct qualification after a defeat to Scotland, get another opportunity as they face North Macedonia. Meanwhile, Czechia will go up against the Republic of Ireland, who are aiming to end their World Cup drought dating back to 2002.
Teams already qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026
-
United States -
Canada -
Mexico -
Morocco -
Senegal -
Egypt -
Nigeria -
Cameroon -
Algeria -
Tunisia -
Ghana -
Ivory Coast -
Japan -
South Korea -
Iran -
Australia -
Saudi Arabia -
Qatar -
Uzbekistan -
United Arab Emirates -
France -
Germany -
Spain -
England -
Portugal -
Netherlands -
Belgium -
Croatia -
Switzerland -
Serbia -
Denmark -
Hungary -
Brazil -
Argentina -
Uruguay -
Colombia -
Ecuador -
Chile -
Costa Rica -
Panama -
Jamaica -
Honduras
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