Final tickets up for grabs as World Cup Play-Off showdowns begin
Final tickets up for grabs as World Cup Play-Off showdowns begin The final FIFA international break before the 2026 FIFA World Cup could decide the fate of 22 national teams still chasing a place at football’s biggest tournament. With just six spots remaining, the pressure is building from Europe to Oceania. Despite the expansion to 48 teams, several major nations - and some of the game’s biggest names - remain at risk of missing out.
Italy national football team are still fighting to qualify after failing to reach the last two World Cups, while stars such as Robert Lewandowski, Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak and Arda Güler could yet be left watching from home. The battle for the final places will be settled across two routes: the European play-offs and the intercontinental play-offs. Italy face must-win moment No nation faces more scrutiny than Italy.
The four-time world champions begin their play-off campaign against Northern Ireland national football team, who will hope their Premier League-based squad can spring a surprise. Victory would set up a decisive clash with either Wales national football team or Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team for a place at the finals. Elsewhere, one high-profile exit is guaranteed.
Poland national football team must first overcome Albania national football team, while Sweden national football team take on Ukraine national football team — with the winners meeting for a final qualification showdown. Dreams on the line worldwide The intercontinental play-offs offer smaller nations a historic opportunity. New Caledonia national football team, Suriname national football team and DR Congo national football team are all chasing a first-ever World Cup appearance.
DR Congo will face the winner of New Caledonia national football team vs Jamaica national football team, while Bolivia national football team take on Suriname for the right to meet Iraq national football team. With just a handful of tickets left, the final international window before the tournament could decide which stars - and which nations - make the trip to North America next summer.