The final spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided during the March international window, determining which six nations complete this summer's 48-team field.
The remaining berths are determined via the Intercontinental Playoffs (two spots) and UEFA Playoffs (four spots). Semifinals will be played on March 26, followed by the finals on March 31.
These last-chance qualifiers will feature nine MLS players spanning eight countries and eight clubs.
The groups are locked in for the 2026 @FIFAWorldCup. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/iVNQwmdsP0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 5, 2025
Three MLS players will feature in this pathway, which grants two tickets to the World Cup.
Bolivia
Jamaica
Read more:Andre Blake & Jamaica seek World Cup ticket
Six MLS players will feature in this pathway, which provides four spots at the World Cup.
Albania
Czechia
Denmark
North Macedonia
Sweden
Ukraine
Read more:Anders Dreyer chases World Cup dream with Denmark
Format
Sixteen (16) teams that advanced past the first round of European (UEFA) qualifying were drawn, via seeding pots, into four groups of four.
Each group features two single-leg semifinals, with the semifinal winners advancing to a single-leg final. The winners of each of the four UEFA playoff pathways advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Pathway A
Semifinals
Final
Winner joins Group B at the World Cup alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Pathway B
Semifinals
Final
Winner joins Group F at the World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
Pathway C
Semifinals
Final
Winner joins Group D at the World Cup alongside the United States, Australia and Paraguay.
Pathway D
Semifinals
Final
Winner joins Group A at the World Cup alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
The European Play-Offs for the #FIFAWorldCup 🌍
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2025
Which four are headed to #WeAre26? 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ssnMXLRgYB
Format
This play-in tournament features six teams: one from Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania, plus two from Concacaf. There are no European teams in the Intercontinental Playoffs.
The six teams are divided into two groups of three, with the lower-ranked teams facing off in the semifinals and the two higher-ranked teams receiving byes to their respective finals.
The semifinal winners will advance to the single-elimination final. The winner of the final advances to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
These matches will all be held at neutral venues in Mexico.
Pathway A
Semifinal
Final
Winner joins Group K at the World Cup alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Playoff Pathway B
Semifinal
Final
Winner joins Group I at the World Cup alongside France, Senegal and Norway.
Your matchups for the FIFA World Cup 26 Play-Off Tournament! 🆚
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2025
Which two are headed to 🇨🇦🇲🇽🇺🇸? pic.twitter.com/5cYxcvFjnT
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