With less than 80 days to go, the excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ grows stronger. The results of the Final Draw in Washington DC back in December whetted the appetite for football fans everywhere, but there are still six spots to be decided.
Four qualifiers will come from the 16-team European play-offs and another two sides via the FIFA Play-off Tournament, which is taking place in World Cup 2026 Host Cities Guadalajara and Monterrey.
FIFA takes a look at the last hopefuls for this year’s big dance.
FIFA Play-off Tournament
Path 1: Winner advances to Group K with Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan
Congo DR are the sole representative from CAF in the FIFA Play-off Tournament, having eliminated African giants Cameroon and Nigeria in the CAF play-offs after a second-place finish in Group B of qualifying behind Senegal. The Leopards are seeking their first World Cup berth since 1974 and second appearance overall.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Jamaica (Guadalajara, final)
The Reggae Boyz narrowly missed out on automatic qualification from Concacaf, finishing behind Curaçao in Group B of the final round. After seeing off New Caledonia in the Play-Off Tournament semi-final, another victory would earn Jamaica their second World Cup qualification and first since France 1998.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Congo DR (Guadalajara, final)
Path 2: Winner advances to Group I with France, Norway and Senegal
Iraq’s hopes are still alive after they navigated their way past United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of AFC qualifying. The Lions of Mesopotamia are aiming for their second World Cup participation and first since Mexico 1986.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Bolivia (Monterrey, final)
By virtue of their seventh-place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying, Bolivia are in the mix for their first World Cup since USA 1994. The South Americans, who beat Suriname in the Play-Off Tournament semi-final, are targeting their fourth World Cup.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Iraq (Monterrey, final)
European play-offs
Path A: Winner advances to Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland
Italy finished six points off first-place Norway in Group I of UEFA qualifying, but a second chance awaits in the play-offs for Gennaro Gattuso’s men. After missing out on the last two editions of the global showpiece, the four-time champions will be desperate to join the 48-team fray, and saw off Northern Ireland in their semi-final.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zenica, final)
Bosnia and Herzegovina earned their maiden World Cup appearance at Brazil 2014, but have yet to return. A strong performance in qualifying in Group H, followed by a hard-fought semi-final win over Wales in the play-off semi-finals, suggests that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a tough nut for the Azzurri to crack.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Italy (Zenica, final)
Path B: Winner advances to Group F with Japan, Netherlands and Tunisia
One of Sweden’s best performances was finishing third at USA 1994 and they would love another shot on US soil. If the Scandinavians can beat Poland, having seen off Ukraine in impressive style, the 1958 runners-up will qualify for a 13th World Cup.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Poland (Solna, final)
Poland, who came from behind to defeat Albania in their semi-final, are on the hunt for a tenth World Cup appearance, with third-place in 1974 and 1982 serving as their best finishes. It would also be their third successive qualification.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Sweden (Solna, final)
Path C: Winner advances to Group D with Australia, Paraguay and USA
Incredibly, Türkiye have not been in the World Cup since their memorable third-place finish at Korea/Japan 2002. A new generation of players is targeting a return in what would be their third appearance, with Romania defeated to reach this stage.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Kosovo (Pristina, final)
Winning Path C would yield a first World Cup qualification for Kosovo, who enjoyed a second-place finish in Group B of qualifying, before beating Slovakia in their play-off semi-final.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Türkiye (Pristina, final)
Path D: Winner advances to Group A with Korea Republic, Mexico and South Africa
Automatic qualification slipped through Denmark’s fingers with a late loss to Scotland on the final day of qualifying, but hope for a seventh World Cup remains. An impressive win over North Macedonia in their play-off semi-final has, however, boosted hopes of a third consecutive appearance.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Czechia (Prague , final)
Runners-up in 1934 and 1962, Czechia would qualify for a tenth World Cup if they can emerge from the Path D fray, having edged out Republic of Ireland on penalties. It would be their first extravaganza since Germany 2006.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026:
31 March: vs Denmark (Prague, final)
