2026 World Cup Playoffs: Italy faces the risk of missing out for the third time.
At 6:50 PM on November 20th in Zurich, the playoff draw to decide the final 6 spots in the 2026 World Cup will take place: UEFA will hold a single match across 4 brackets; intercontinental teams will select 2.
At 6:50 PM on November 20, 2025 (Vietnam time), at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the draw for the playoff round will decide the final six spots in the 2026 World Cup. With a single-match knockout format in UEFA and an intercontinental playoff to select two teams, each draw is crucial. Italy faces the risk of failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
The overall picture: 42 teams have secured their spots, 6 spots are still waiting for their owners.
The 2026 World Cup will expand to 48 teams, increasing the number of qualifying spots and thus broadening opportunities. To date, 42 teams have officially secured their tickets to the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Besides the three host nations, powerhouses like Argentina (the defending champions), Brazil, France, England, and Portugal have all already established their dominance.
Key highlights: Scotland returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 after a 4-2 victory over Denmark. Also making their first appearance are Cape Verde, Jordan, Curacao, and Uzbekistan – newcomers who promise to bring a fresh perspective to the football festival.
UEFA playoff: One decisive match, four do-or-die brackets.
UEFA organizes the World Cup qualifying playoffs in a single-match knockout format, with 16 teams divided into 4 brackets (4 teams in each bracket). Each team must win both the semi-final and the final of their bracket to qualify for the World Cup. Seeds from Pot A to Pot D are determined based on the FIFA rankings and performance in the Nations League.
The teams that have qualified for the UEFA playoffs are:
- Italy
- Ukraine
- Republic of Ireland
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Albania
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Türkiye
- Wales
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Kosovo
- Romania
- Sweden
- Northern Ireland
- North Macedonia
The single-match format minimizes errors: there's no "return leg" to correct mistakes. For Italy, the pressure is palpable as their World Cup hopes hang in the balance – it's a win-or-lose situation.
Intercontinental Playoffs: 6 teams, 2 final spots.
The intercontinental playoff round brings together six representatives: Bolivia, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Suriname, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – the team that just eliminated Nigeria. The format consists of two knockout rounds: the four lowest-ranked FIFA teams meet first, and the winner then faces the two higher-ranked teams. The two final winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
- Bolivia
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- New Caledonia
- Suriname
- Democratic Republic of Congo
Notable milestones
| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| The draw for the 2026 World Cup playoffs. | 18:50, November 20, 2025 (Vietnam time) | FIFA Headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland |
| The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup has taken place. | 05/12/2025 | Washington DC, USA – Kennedy Center Theatre |
Waiting for the draw to decide.
The playoffs are a "life or death" battle for teams that missed out on direct qualification. Once 48 teams are selected, the draw for the group stage in Washington DC on December 5, 2025, will conclude the qualifying rounds and begin the quest for the gold trophy. From Zurich to the Kennedy Center, all eyes are on the last six qualifying spots.
