World Cup 2026 playoff draw in full: countries, teams, games, dates

The World Cup qualification left some fans in tears for all the right reasons (yes, Scotland) and others on the border of giving up the game forever. The greatest tournament in the world is right around the corner and the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are gearing up for the showdown that last time saw Argentina take the trophy in Qatar.

However, the final list of teams is not decided, and the draw has taken place for the playoffs to make the final cut, with the whole world battling for the few seats left on the airplane.

Here is the full outcome of the World Cup 2026 playoff draw from across the world:

First we saw the inter-confederation playoffs, which will take place during the FIFA window of 23–31 March 2026.

These games will see various teams from across the globe (except Europe) take each other on for two spots in a typical semi-final and final setup.

DR Congo and Iraq already qualified for each final due to their FIFA ranking. The other two games are as follows:

• Game 1: New Caledonia vs Jamaica

Winner to play DR Congo in the final

• Game 2: Bolivia vs Suriname

Winner to play Iraq in the final

The European system is a little more complex, with more teams still involved at this stage.

A total of 12 teams finished runners-up in their groups. They are now seeded into three pots by their world ranking.

There is also a fourth pot. This contains the four teams who were awarded a play-off through performance in the UEFA Nations League.

One team from each pot will be drawn into four separate paths: Path A, Path B, Path C and Path D.

For each path, the pot one team will face the pot four team in a one-off match. The teams in pot two and pot three from each path will be drawn against each other in one-legged games.

This creates two semi-finals in each path, after which a final per path will be played.

Teams in pot one and pot two will both be at home in the semi-finals.

Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine

Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia

Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo

Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland

World Cup 2026 European playoff matches:

Path A:

Semi-final 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland

Semi-final 2: Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina

Path B:

Semi-final 3: Ukraine vs Sweden

Semi-final 4: Poland vs Albania

Path C:

Semi-final 5: Turkey vs Romania

Semi-final 6: Slovakia vs Kosovo

Path D:

Semi-final 7: Denmark vs North Macedonia

Semi-final 8: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland

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