Seven moments to remember from UEFA qualifying
Have you caught your breath yet? European qualifying brought drama from the first whistle until the last, as 12 nations booked their FIFA World Cup 26™ spot, and a further 16 headed for the European play-offs. Here, FIFA recounts seven memorable moments from the European preliminaries. Strelec stunner sinks Germany Slovakia opened their campaign in […]
FIFA Legends named as assistants for Play-Off Tournament and European play-off draws
FIFA World Cup™-winning duo Christian Karembeu and Marco Materazzi and Martin Dahlin, who was part of the Swedish side that clinched the final podium place at the 1994 edition of FIFA’s flagship tournament, have been announced as the assistants for the Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament and the European Play-Off Draw, […]
Guadalajara and Monterrey to host Play-Off Tournament
FIFA has selected Guadalajara and Monterrey as the Host Cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament, which is scheduled to be contested in the two Mexican cities between 23 and 31 March 2026. The competition will determine two of the final nations to qualify for the first 48-team FIFA World Cup™, which will […]
FIFA Play-Off Tournament: Everything you need to know
The FIFA World Cup 26™ Play-Off Tournament will see six sides fight it out for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States. It will involve two teams from Concacaf and one team apiece from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC, and will take place in […]
Joao Pedro shining as Brazil’s penalty-saving savior
There is a famous saying in Brazilian football: “Every great team starts with a great goalkeeper”. Joao Pedro has proven just how true this is as he represents Brazil at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™. The player from Vila Belmiro has been part of Dudu Patetuci’s current crop since the very beginning, and […]
Make big predictions and win Play Zone points as Brazilian rivals take centre stage with Fives
League leaders Flamengo play Rio rivals Fluminense while Corinthians and São Paulo also seek local derby glory – make your predictions now to be in with a chance of climbing the Play Zone leaderboards! Completely free to play and packed with fun and tension, Fives gives players the chance to make predictions about five of […]
Last-gasp penalty sends Iraq to Play-Off Tournament
Iraq 2-1 United Arab Emirates (3-2 on aggregate) Iraq goals: Mohanad Ali (66), Al-Ammari (90+17 pen) United Arab Emirates goal: Caio (52) Amir Al-Ammari scored the latest of late penalties to send Iraq to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament with a 3-2 aggregate victory over United Arab Emirates on a night of incredible drama in Basra. […]
Late drama and stunning strikes seal Scotland’s return
Scotland are back. For the first time since 1998, the Tartan Army will be marching to a FIFA World Cup™. Not only that, but a nation that has become accustomed to failure – sometimes glorious, sometimes grim – secured their long-awaited return in the most dramatic and triumphant manner imaginable. When Scott McTominay fired them […]
Belgium bound for World Cup 26
Belgium will participate in the FIFA World Cup™ for the 15th time in their history, and for the fourth consecutive edition. Rudi Garcia’s men secured their place at the tournament, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States on the final matchday of the preliminary phase. In beating Liechtenstein 7-0 on Tuesday […]
Austria back at World Cup after 28 years
Austria have secured their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and can now start planning their trip to Canada, Mexico, and the USA. With a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 18, 2025, Austria sealed the deal and crowned a strong qualifying campaign. For the first time since 1998, Austria will be […]