2026 FIFA World Cup: This is how the playoffs are configured

With just a few months to go until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup - to be held between June and July in the United States, Mexico and Canada - only six names remain to complete the list of 48 national teams that will compete in the soccer world’s top tournament.

Of that group of national teams that still aspire to be present at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but have not yet earned their ticket, four will be representatives of the UEFA (Europe), while the other two places will be occupied by two national teams that are members of the other confederations.

Once the qualifying phase is over, a total of 22 national teams will have to play in the play-offs in order to qualify for next year's World Cup.

From the European continent, Italy, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales, Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania, Turkey, Romania, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo, Denmark, Northern Macedonia, Czech Republic and Ireland are looking to be one of the four UEFA member teams that will qualify via the play-offs.

The Italians, with four World Cup titles to their name, will first have to overcome Northern Ireland. If they win, they will play the winner of the match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Wales for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On the other hand, the other two places will be occupied by two of the following national teams: Iraq (AFC), Jamaica and Suriname (CONCACAF), Bolivia (CONMEBOL), New Caledonia (OFC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (CAF).

Bolivia will have to face Suriname in one of the semifinals. If they win, they will face Iraq in the final.