It’s World Cup 2026 D-day for 12 nations this Tuesday, March 31, when the final six teams for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be revealed.

Eight European countries will compete in four UEFA playoff finals, while contenders from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and South America will take part in two inter-confederation playoff finals.

All six playoff finals are one-off games, meaning the winners will be decided on the night. But what happens if any of the matches end in a tie, which feels inevitable given what is at stake?

The simple rules if playoff finals are tied

The rules are straightforward and identical across both the UEFA and inter-confederation playoff finals.

If any match is tied after 90 minutes, it will go to extra time consisting of two 15-minute periods.

If the teams still cannot be separated after 120 minutes, a penalty shootout will decide the winner.

World Cup qualifying playoff finals: matchups, times and groups

UEFA playoff finals: Tuesday, Mar. 31

Path A: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy

• 2:45 p.m. ET – Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Winner joins Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

Path B: Sweden vs Poland

• 2:45 p.m. ET – Nationalarenan, Solna, Sweden
• Winner joins Group F with Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.

Path C: Kosovo vs Türkiye

• 2:45 p.m. ET – Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo
• Winner joins Group D with United States, Paraguay and Australia.

Path D: Czechia vs Denmark

• 2:45 p.m. ET – Stadion Letná, Prague, Czechia
• Winner joins Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

Inter-confederation playoff finals: Tuesday, Mar. 31

Path 1: DR Congo vs Jamaica

• 5:00 p.m. ET – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico
• Winner joins Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.

Path 2: Iraq vs Bolivia

• 11:00 p.m. ET – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico
• Winner joins Group I with France, Senegal and Norway.

When is World Cup 2026?

Co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, World Cup 2026 begins on June 11. In the tournament’s opening game, the Mexicans take on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, in a Group A clash that kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT.

World Cup 2026 final reaches its climax on July 19, when MetLife Stadium stages the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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