Six teams qualify for the Intercontinental World Cup play-offs.

The race for the final tickets to the 2026 World Cup has officially begun, with six teams from five continents confirmed to participate in the intercontinental play-off round.

Jamaica (in yellow jerseys) had to enter a crucial play-off series after finishing below Curacao in the CONCACAF region.

According to FIFA's format, the Intercontinental World Cup play-offs consist of 6 teams divided into 2 brackets, with 3 teams in each bracket. The top two seeded teams advance directly to the final, while the remaining 4 teams will draw lots to play a single-leg semi-final. The winner of the final in each bracket will secure one of the two remaining spots in the 2026 World Cup.

Iraq (Asia - AFC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (CAF - Africa) are the two highest-ranked FIFA teams in the intercontinental play-off round. They are seeded in Group 1, thus securing direct entry into the finals of their respective brackets.

The remaining four teams, Jamaica, Suriname (North, Central America and the Caribbean - CONCACAF), Bolivia (South America - CONMEBOL) and New Caledonia (Oceania - OFC), are awaiting a draw to determine the two semi-final pairings.

The intercontinental play-offs will be held in Mexico in March 2026, less than three months before the World Cup begins. Matches will be played in a single leg, with extra time and penalty shootouts in case of a draw. FIFA also stipulates that the two CONCACAF teams must be in separate brackets to avoid regional clashes.

The draw will take place on November 20, 2025, in Zurich. Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo are considered the strongest contenders for the two qualifying spots. However, in single-leg knockout matches, surprises can happen, especially with teams like Jamaica or Bolivia, known for their physically demanding and fast-paced style of play.

Source: https://znews.vn/6-doi-du-play-off-world-cup-lien-luc-dia-post1604014.html