The final routes to the 2026 World Cup in North America have been determined, with six spots remaining to complete the 48-team lineup. Following the draw in Zurich, 22 nations now know their opponents for the decisive playoffs next March.
In the UEFA zone, 16 teams will vie for four places. The schedule features eight single-leg semi-finals on March 26, leading to four finals on March 31. Notable pairings include Italy hosting Northern Ireland and Ukraine facing Sweden.
Meanwhile, the intercontinental playoffs will take place in Mexico to decide the final two qualifiers. DR Congo and Iraq have received byes to the finals due to their FIFA rankings; they will face the winners of New Caledonia vs. Jamaica and Bolivia vs. Suriname. These matches will run from March 23 to 31, 2026, officially concluding the qualification process.