The final six places for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided this week through a series of playoff matches, completing the 48-team lineup for the tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to FIFA, the playoffs involve teams from multiple confederations competing for the remaining slots.
In the European playoffs, 16 teams are competing for four spots. The matches follow a knockout format, with the winners securing their place in the World Cup. The draw and schedule for these matches were confirmed by UEFA and FIFA earlier this year.
Simultaneously, an intercontinental playoff tournament is being held to determine the final two qualifiers. This tournament features national teams from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and North and Central America. The format and participants were set based on the results of the respective continental qualifying campaigns.
The successful teams from these playoffs will join the 42 nations that have already qualified through their continental qualification pathways. The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, a significant expansion from the previous 32-team format.
