Intercontinental play-off draw results (determining 2 places to attend the 2026 World Cup).
Semifinal
New Caledonia - Jamaica (1)
Bolivia - Suriname (2)
Final
Win match (1) against DR Congo
Win match (2) against Iraq
World Cup 2026 European play-off draw results (determining 4 places)
Branch A
Italy - B Ireland
Wales - Bosnia
Branch B
Ukraine - Sweden
Poland - Albania
Branch C
Türkiye - Romania
Slovakia - Kosovo
Branch D
Denmark - B Macedonia
Czech Republic - Republic of Ireland
(The two winners of the semi-finals will meet in the final to determine the team that will participate in the 2026 World Cup).
* The 2026 World Cup play-off matches will take place in March next year. The dates and venues for the matches have not yet been determined.
The six teams participating in the Intercontinental play-off round are Iraq (Asia), Democratic Republic of Congo (Africa), Jamaica, Suriname (CONCACAF), Bolivia (South America), New Caledonia (Oceania) will compete to determine 2 spots to attend the 2026 World Cup.
Intercontinental play-off draw results (Photo: FIFA).
The two teams with the highest FIFA rankings, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are automatically qualified for the finals (playing only one play-off match). The remaining teams must compete from the semi-finals (playing two play-off matches).
According to the draw results, Oceania representative New Caledonia will face Jamaica in the semi-finals. The winner of this match will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final.
In the other semi-final, Bolivia will face Suriname. The winner will advance to the final against Iraq. Being in the same bracket as Bolivia could pose a significant challenge for Iraq. Bolivia has long been considered a team that has caused trouble for the top teams in South America.
All Intercontinental play-offs will take place in Mexico, host of the 2026 World Cup.
Italy face Northern Ireland in the 2026 World Cup play-off semi-finals (Photo: Getty).
In the 2026 World Cup European play-off round, Italy will meet Ireland B in the semi-finals of bracket A. Overall, this is an "acceptable" draw for the Azzurri as they avoid their toughest opponent, Sweden.
After qualifying for the semi-finals, Italy will face the winner of Wales and Bosnia in the final. Both opponents can pose a challenge for Gattuso's team.
Meanwhile, Sweden face Ukraine in the semi-finals of Bracket B. The winner of this match will meet the winner of the Poland and Albania match in the final.
Bracket C will see Turkey face Romania, Slovakia face Kosovo. Bracket D sees Denmark face Macedonia, while the Czech Republic takes on the Republic of Ireland.
The 2026 World Cup has a total of 48 participating teams, of which Asia has 8 direct slots and 1 play-in slot; Europe has 16 slots; Africa has 9 direct slots and 1 play-in slot; South America has 6 direct slots and 1 play-in slot; Central America and the Caribbean has 6 direct slots (including 3 co-host teams USA, Canada, Mexico) and 2 play-in slots; Oceania has 1 direct slot and 1 play-in slot.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/boc-tham-vong-play-off-world-cup-2026-italy-tho-phao-iraq-gap-kho-20251120191812982.htm
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