2026 WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

FIFA™ | United States of America, Canada & Mexico

2026 World Cup | Draw Play-offs Qualification

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The draw for the intercontinental playoff matches in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying series will be held on a date that is yet to be determined. In this draw, six countries from around the different FIFA Zones will participate. Through the intercontinental World Cup football qualification play-offs, these nations get one last chance to qualify for the final round in North America. To be specific, the six participants compete for the last two (of 48) tickets.

Out of the six qualified countries, the four that are at that moment lowest in the FIFA Ranking, are linked by this World Cup football play-off draw. This results in the first two intercontinental play-off matches. The two winners then play against the two countries that (of those initial six) are highest in the FIFA Ranking. This again results in two matches. This mini tournament for final qualifications is on the agenda for March, 2026. Both winners of those last two games will gain access to the World Cup group stage.

Draw intercontinental World Cup football qualification play-offs

The FIFA members being part of the draw for the intercontinental World Cup 2026 qualification play-offs, will have a resit after the regular qualification phase. They come from five of the six FIFA confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), OFC (Oceania), CONMEBOL (South America) and CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean). The European confederation, UEFA, will have no representative at these intercontinental 2026 World Cup play-offs draw. CONCACAF, on the other hand, will be allowed to deliver two countries, as this FIFA continent will host the final round of the World Cup.

FIFA ZONENUMBER OF COUNTRIES INTERCONTINENTAL PLAY-OFFS DRAW | WORLD CUP
AFC1 | See also Asian qualifiers World Cup football
CONCACAF2 | See also North American, Central American, Caribbean qualifiers World Cup football
CONMEBOL1 | See also South American qualifiers World Cup football
OFC1 | See also Oceanian qualifiers World Cup football
CAF1 | See also African qualifiers World Cup football
UEFA0 | See also European qualifiers World Cup football

See also: Preliminary Draw Qualifying Zones.

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News

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Highlighted

Host Cities USA

The 2026 American Dream: the United States is one of the three hosts of the FIFA World Cup Soccer in North America. The USA is the host country with the most - eleven - host cities.

Host Cities Canada

With Vancouver, and Toronto, Canada has two host cities for the world's football finals in North America in 2026. Get more information about the characteristics of these exciting and diverse, dynamic cities.

Host Cities Mexico

With Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico has three candidate host cities for the World Cup in 2026. Each host with its specific ambience, history, attractions, hotspots and other features.

Stadiums USA

The United States will have eleven stadiums for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Click for more information about these fantastic and modern venues in the USA, and which matches they will host.

Stadiums Canada

During the 2026 World Cup finals, these are the two venues in Canada: BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, and BMO Field in Toronto. Find out more about these attractive Canadian stadiums.

Stadiums Mexico

In Mexico, the FIFA 2026 World Cup will take place in these stadiums: Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and the BBVA Bancomer Stadium in Monterrey.