FIFA announced that the official draws for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs will take place on November 20 in Zurich, Switzerland. These draws will finalize the playoff brackets that decide the last six teams qualifying for the expanded 48-team World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
The European playoff rounds will involve 16 teams competing for four remaining spots at the tournament. The lineup is expected to feature notable teams such as four-time champions Italy, along with others that finish as runners-up in the qualifying groups. The playoffs will also include four additional teams that topped their Nations League groups, which could feature nations like Wales and Sweden.
Outside Europe, six teams from other continents will battle in the intercontinental playoffs for the remaining two World Cup slots. FIFA confirmed that these matches are scheduled to take place between March 26 and 31, with Mexico likely hosting the intercontinental playoff games. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured their qualification for this stage.
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According to FIFA, the seeding for the playoff brackets will be determined by the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Rankings, which are due to be released on November 19. The playoffs will feature a knockout format with single-leg semifinals and finals for each bracket, increasing the stakes and intensity of the qualification process.
The six winners emerging from these playoffs will complete the lineup for the 2026 World Cup. Their positions will temporarily occupy Pot 4 during the official World Cup group draw, set for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., an event expected to be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump. With several traditional football giants facing the playoff route, anticipation for the Zurich draw is already building across the footballing world.
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