2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs: How do they work, when are they, and who's involved?
Six teams will play in the inter-confederation playoffs: one from CONMEBOL, one from Oceania, one from Asia, one from Africa, and two from CONCACAF.
FIFA have awarded World Cup spots through inter-confederation competitions for the better part of 60 years, and the 2026 World Cup has a larger, higher-profile pool of teams looking to lock up the tournament's two final spots. MORE — 2026 World Cup qualification hub The first inter-confederations playoff saw Wales see off Israel over two games to reach the 1958 tournament. We can guarantee these final spots will look different, as Europe is the only confederation not putting teams into the playoffs.
So how will it work, how many teams will be there, when will it be held, and who will be involved in the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs? Read on... 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs: How do they work?
Six teams will play in the inter-confederation playoffs: one from CONMEBOL (Bolivia), one from Oceania (New Caledonia), one from Asia (Iraq), one from Africa (DR Congo), and two from CONCACAF (Jamaica and Suriname). The two highest FIFA-ranked teams will get byes to finals in Pathway 1 and Pathway 2, while the remaining four teams will play semifinals ties to reach the final. The winners of Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 will be awarded the final spots in Pot 4 of the 2026 World Cup draw.
When and where are the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs? Reports have said the games will be played in Mexico at the homes of Chivas Guadalajara and Monterrey. The matches will be played during the March international break.