Who can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just months away from kicking off in the US, Canada and Mexico, with a record 48 countries set to compete for top honours.

Although the teams have been divided into twelve groups of four, there are still six spots up for grabs, which will be confirmed after the intercontinental and European play-offs.

Who can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Six countries – four from Europe and two from the rest of the world – can still qualify for FIFA World CUP 2026.

• For Europe: Winners of each of the four European play-offs
• For the rest of the world: Winners of two intercontinental play-offs

SCENARIO FOR EUROPE

Who can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from Europe?

There are 16 countries competing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Italy, Ukraine, Ireland, Albania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Kosovo, Denmark, Turkey, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland and North Macedonia.

Only four of them qualify.

Qualification pathways:

PATH A

• Semi-Final 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland – March 27, 1:15 am IST

• Semi-Final 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – March 27, 1:15am IST

• Final: Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2 (home)

PATH B

• Semi-Final 3: Ukraine vs Sweden – March 27, 1:15 am IST

• Semi-Final 4: Poland vs Albania – March 27, 1:15 am IST

• Final: Winner SF 3 (home) versus Winner SF 4

TOAD C

• Semi-Final 5: Turkiye vs Romania – March 26, 10:30 PM IST

• Semi-Final 6: Slovakia vs Kosovo – March 27, 1:15 am IST

• Final: Winner SF 5 vs. See also: dkm6h. Winner SF 6 (home)

TOAD D

• Semi-final 7: Denmark vs North Macedonia – March 27, 1:15 am IST

• Semi-Final 8: Czech Republic vs Ireland – March 27, 1:15 am IST

• Final: Winner SF 7 vs. Winner SF 8 (home)

The winners of each stage will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

SCENARIO FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD

Who can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup outside Europe?

Six teams outside Europe can still qualify for the Football World Cup: Iraq, Congo DR, New Caledonia, Jamaica, Bolivia and Suriname. Only two of them qualify.

Qualification pathways:

Route 1: Iraq vs winner of (Bolivia vs Suriname)

Route 2: Congo DR vs winner of (New Caledonia vs Jamaica)

Winners of each stage will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

What are the matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-offs?

Iraq and Congo DR entered the play-offs as top seeds and took their places in the two finals.

• Semi-final 1: Bolivia vs Suriname – March 21, 4:30 AM IST

• Semi-Final 2: New Caledonia vs Jamaica – March 21, 7:30 AM IST

• Final 1: Winner SF2 vs Congo DR – April 1, 2:30 AM IST (for qualifying)

• Final 2: SF1 vs Iraq Winner – April 1, 8:30am IST (for qualifying)

Published on March 10, 2026