Understanding the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament

The FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off tournament marks a significant opportunity for teams vying for the last two spots in the tournament, which has expanded from 32 to 48 teams. FIFA has revamped its qualifying process, with most positions filled through continental qualification, while the final two slots will be decided in a six-team inter-confederation play-off tournament.

Officially named the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, this event will take place in Mexico, serving a dual purpose of testing the stadiums ahead of the main event next summer. The matches are set to occur during the international fixture window from March 23 to March 31, 2026, just a few months before the World Cup begins on June 11.

In this play-off tournament, one team from each confederation, except UEFA, will participate, alongside an additional team from the host confederation, CONCACAF, as the World Cup is jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Thus, CONCACAF will have two representatives, while AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC will each contribute one team.

The six qualifying teams will be seeded into “seeded” and “unseeded” brackets based on their performances in confederation qualifiers and the Men’s World Rankings. The two highest-ranked teams will be designated as seeded, while the four unseeded teams will face off in two one-leg knockout semifinals. The victors of these semifinals will then challenge the seeded teams in two finals, with the winners securing the coveted spots in the upcoming World Cup.

As for the teams qualified for the World Cup 2026 play-off tournament, they are as follows:

– **OFC (Oceania)**: New Caledonia, third-round runner-up (24 March 2025)
– **CONMEBOL (South America)**: Bolivia, seventh placed (9 September 2025)
– **CAF (Africa)**: DR Congo, second-round play-off winner (16 November 2025)
– **AFC (Asia)**: Iraq, fifth-round play-off winner (18 November 2025)
– **CONCACAF (North and Central America, plus the Caribbean)**: Jamaica, third-round group runner-up (ranked first) (18 November 2025)
– Suriname, third-round group runner-up (ranked second) (18 November 2025)

The play-offs will consist of two brackets of three teams, each including one seeded team. The winners of each bracket will qualify for the World Cup. The match format is as follows:

– **Semi-final 1**: Unseeded A vs. Unseeded B
– **Semi-final 2**: Unseeded C vs. Unseeded D
– **Final 1**: Winner of Semi-final 1 vs. Seeded Team 1
– **Final 2**: Winner of Semi-final 2 vs. Seeded Team 2

All matches will be single-leg knockout games. If scores are tied after regular time, an extra 30 minutes will follow, allowing for a sixth substitution. Should the scores remain level, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. Furthermore, participating teams must enter the tournament with only one senior national team, adhering to regulations approved by the FIFA Council on June 23, 2023.