World Cup draw heads to Washington with final qualifiers still unsettled
When FIFA unveils the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC on Friday, the ceremony will carry an unusual twist: several teams in the field are still unknown. It’s a reminder of how sprawling the qualification process has become ahead of the first 48-team World Cup, spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Europe’s automatic qualifiers England, Scotland and others are already preparing for next summer. But the expanded format leaves six open spots, and those won’t be decided until the play-offs wrap up in March. Until then, the draw will include placeholders rather than team names.
A new era, with new complications
The shift from 32 to 48 teams has created a ripple effect across confederations. As reported by GIVEMESPORT, the system now funnels a handful of nations into intercontinental and European play-off routes, some of which still feel unfamiliar even to long-time followers of the qualification cycle.
Three of the Home Nations remain in that mix. The Republic of Ireland squeezed into the play-offs after a chaotic 3–2 win over Hungary a match that turned into a showcase for Troy Parrott, who scored all three goals. Wales surged past North Macedonia to secure home advantage, while Northern Ireland topped their group to advance.
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2026 World Cup Play-off Match List
Inter-confederation play-offs
Semi-finals
- New Caledonia vs Jamaica
- Bolivia vs Suriname
Finals
- DR Congo vs Winner of New Caledonia/Jamaica
- Iraq vs Winner of Bolivia/Suriname
European play-offs
Path A
Semi-finals
- Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Italy vs Northern Ireland
Final - Winner of Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Winner of Italy/Northern Ireland
Path B
Semi-finals
- Ukraine vs Sweden
- Poland vs Albania
Final - Winner of Ukraine/Sweden vs Winner of Poland/Albania
Path C
Semi-finals
- Turkey vs Romania
- Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final - Winner of Turkey/Romania vs Winner of Slovakia/Kosovo
Path D
Semi-finals
- Denmark vs North Macedonia
- Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Final - Winner of Denmark/North Macedonia vs Winner of Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland
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Intercontinental bracket still wide open
The global play-off format places DR Congo and Iraq directly into their respective finals based on their ranking. The other four contenders were drawn into semi-finals that will determine who gets the chance to face those seeded sides.
New Caledonia will take on Jamaica in one semi-final. Bolivia and Suriname meet in the other. Match dates will be finalised once FIFA confirms venue arrangements a process that often stretches longer for intercontinental fixtures because of travel and broadcast logistics.
Europe’s path: crowded and unforgiving
The European route is more complex, featuring four separate paths and eight semi-finals. Though the match-ups read like a mini-tournament, only four teams will survive.
In Path A, Wales host Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Italy renew their rivalry with Northern Ireland. Path B pits Ukraine against Sweden and Poland against Albania two pairings that, in another year, might have belonged in the group stage itself.
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Path C brings Turkey and Romania together and pairs Slovakia with Kosovo, while Path D sees Denmark take on North Macedonia and the Czech Republic face the Republic of Ireland. Each path ends with a single final that awards one World Cup berth.
March will bring clarity and urgency
For Friday’s draw, those play-off outcomes will simply appear as labels in pot four. The real identities won’t be known until the next international break. All semi-finals are set for March 26, with the decisive finals five days later on March 31.
That timeline leaves teams only a short runway to prepare for the tournament, which opens in June a challenge coaches have already acknowledged in recent statements. But for now, the focus shifts to Washington, where the World Cup will begin to take shape even as the qualification drama continues elsewhere.
Sources: GIVEMESPORT, FIFA communications.
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