World Cup 2026 Playoff Guide: Europe & Intercontinental Matches for Final Spots

While much attention in Italy is focused on the Azzurri's crucial World Cup playoff match against Northern Ireland in Bergamo—with a potential follow-up game against Wales or Bosnia in Cardiff or Zenica—this is just one of four European playoff paths. These playoffs will determine the final four European national teams advancing to the 2026 World Cup. Beyond Europe, two additional spots are available through intercontinental playoffs.

European Play-offs

The European qualifiers are structured into four distinct paths:

• Path A: Features Italy vs. Northern Ireland and Wales vs. Bosnia. The successful team from this path will join Group B, which includes Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.
• Path B: Ukraine will face Sweden at a neutral venue in Valencia, while Poland plays Albania in Warsaw. Both matches are scheduled for tomorrow at 8:45 PM CET. The winners will then meet on March 31st in Solna or Valencia, with the victor progressing to Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia.
• Path C: Tomorrow at 6:00 PM CET, Turkey will challenge Romania in Istanbul (at Besiktas' stadium, which will also host the Conference League final). The other semi-final, kicking off at 8:45 PM CET in Bratislava, sees Slovakia taking on Kosovo. The final will be held on March 31st in the Slovakian capital or Pristina. The team that qualifies from this path will be placed in Group D, alongside USA, Paraguay, and Australia.
• Path D: Also tomorrow at 8:45 PM CET, Denmark plays North Macedonia in Copenhagen, and the Czech Republic faces Ireland in Prague. The final for this path will take place on March 31st in Copenhagen or Dublin. The qualifying team will be inserted into Group A with Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea.

Intercontinental Play-offs

In addition to the European contests, intercontinental playoffs are set to commence tomorrow in Mexico, offering two more coveted spots at the World Cup:

• Intercontinental Path B: Tomorrow at 11:00 PM CET, Bolivia and Suriname will compete in Monterrey for the opportunity to face Iraq in the final on April 1st at 5:00 AM CET.
• Intercontinental Path A: In Guadalajara, New Caledonia will play Jamaica (March 27th, 4:00 AM CET). The winner of this match will then challenge DR Congo on March 31st at 11:00 PM CET.

One of the intercontinental qualifiers will join Group K, featuring Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. The other successful team will be placed in Group I, alongside France, Senegal, and Norway.