The final six spots at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be decided this month, as nations battle through play-offs to secure their place. Four European nations have the chance to qualify via the play-offs, featuring one-legged semi-finals and then a final. The semi-finals take place on Thursday, 26 March and the finals on Tuesday, 31 March. The other two places will be decided via the intercontinental play-offs, which features six nations.
The European play-off winners will enter World Cup groups A, B, D, and F, while the intercontinental play-off winners will be added into groups I and K.
Paths to the World Cup Finals
Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland are all in contention to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Path One:
Semi-final: Italy v Northern Ireland
Semi-final: Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Final: Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina v Italy/Northern Ireland
Wales are aiming to make it to back-to-back men’s World Cups for the first time, but Bosnia-Herzegovina stand in their way. Craig Bellamy’s side host the semi-final in Cardiff with the winners hosting the final five days later. Northern Ireland, who are aiming to end a 40-year World Cup wait, have the tough task of facing an Italy team looking to qualify for their first World Cup since 2014.
The winners of this play-off path will secure their place in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
Path Two:
Final: Ukraine/Sweden v Poland/Albania
Ukraine came second in their qualifying group behind 2022 World Cup runners-up France and lose their home advantage against Sweden due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The semi-final will instead take place in Valencia, Spain. Sweden finished bottom of their qualifying group, failing to win a match, but have a lifeline thanks to their Nations League performance. Poland have qualified for the last two men’s World Cups and face an Albania side aiming to reach the finals for the first time.
The winner of this path will be placed in Group F alongside Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
Path Three:
Final: Turkey/Romania v Slovakia/Kosovo
Turkey finished three points behind Spain in their World Cup group and now have to face a Romania side aiming to reach their first World Cup since 1998. Slovakia have also not featured at a World Cup since 2010 and must beat Kosovo – a nation aiming to qualify for their first major tournament – to progress.
The winner of this play-off path will be placed in Group D alongside co-hosts United States, Paraguay and Australia.
Path Four:
Semi-final: Denmark v North Macedonia
Semi-final: Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
Final: Denmark/North Macedonia v Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland
Denmark missed out on automatically reaching the World Cup after a dramatic 4-2 defeat against Scotland in Glasgow. The Danes had to settle for the play-offs and now have to face a North Macedonia side aiming to qualify for a first World Cup. Troy Parrott’s last-gasp winner in Hungary secured an unlikely play-off for the Republic of Ireland. If they win in Prague, they would face a winner-takes-all final.