Archive · 7 Nov 2025
FIFA to Hold World Cup 2026 Playoff Draws in Zurich on November 20
Imagine the World Cup is like a big party, and most of the teams get invited by winning their games.
But there are still a few last spots open for the 2026 World Cup!
FIFA, the boss of soccer, is having special playoff games to decide who gets these last spots.
They will have a drawing on November 20 to see who plays whom.
Some games will be for European teams, where 16 teams will play for four spots.
Other games will be for teams from different parts of the world, where six teams will play for two spots.
These playoff games will happen in late March 2026.
The teams that win these playoff games will get to join the party at the World Cup!
FIFA will host draws for World Cup 2026 qualifying playoffs on November 20 in Zurich.
Six teams from outside Europe will compete in intercontinental playoffs for two World Cup spots, potentially hosted in Mexico.
Sixteen European teams will compete for four World Cup spots across four separate playoff brackets.
Playoff games are scheduled to take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026.
The playoff brackets will be seeded using men's world rankings published on November 19.
- Who
- FIFA
- What
- Draws for the final six qualifying spots for the 2026 World Cup.
- When
- Draws on November 20; playoff games from March 26 to 31, 2026.
- Where
- Draws in Zurich; playoff games expected to be hosted in Mexico (intercontinental).
- Why
- To determine the last six direct qualifiers for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup.
European Playoff Format
Intercontinental Playoff Format
Structure
European Playoff Format
16 European teams compete in four separate mini-brackets, each with single-leg semifinals and finals.
Intercontinental Playoff Format
6 non-European teams compete, with the four lowest-ranked teams paired in single-match semifinals. Winners face the two highest-ranked teams in decisive finals.
Qualification Spots
European Playoff Format
Four World Cup spots are available for European teams.
Intercontinental Playoff Format
Two World Cup spots are available for non-European teams.
- Playoff Draw Date
- November 20
- Playoff Games Dates
- March 26-31, 2026
- European Playoff Teams
- 16
- Intercontinental Playoff Teams
- 6
- World Cup 2026 Hosts
- United States, Canada, and Mexico
- World Cup Draw Date
- December 5
- Seeding Basis
- Men's World Rankings (November 19)
