Preview: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Playoffs draw

6 spots remain out of 48; which teams will book their tickets to the United States next year? (Image credits - Heute, Licence Details)

The road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has grown narrow as the playoffs draw has set up some exciting clashes. European giants Italy face yet another do-or-die challenge, as a defeat will see them miss out on a third World Cup in a row.

Teams like Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Kosovo and North Macedonia eye a historic underdog run to the United States next year, and the storyline promises an end-to-end battle for each spot. The survival of the fittest will decide the remaining spots at the FIFA World Cup next year.

European Playoffs

The European Playoffs are set to be contested between 16 teams: the 12 group stage runners-up and the four best-ranked teams from the Nations League who didn't win their respective qualifiers group.

The teams have been further divided into three pots as per their FIFA ranking, and the Nations League winners are put into pot 4. Each team will play a one-legged semi-final and a final to fight for the World Cup spot.

Path 1: Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Semi-final 1, Italy vs Northern Ireland:

The European giants have failed to qualify twice in a row from the playoffs round ahead of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. Meanwhile, a spirited Northern Ireland side will aim to book their first-ever World Cup qualification.

However, the Italians playing on their home turf have the considerable advantage of going through to the next round, defeating the ghosts of the past.

Semi-final 2, Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina:

Wales would aim to qualify for their second successive World Cup and carry the home advantage into the semi-final. Craig Bellamy’s side have enough experience, and even without Gareth Bale, the Welsh are a formidable team.

The Welsh would also get home advantage in the final if they win the semi-final for having won their final home game against North Macedonia, which gives them the overall edge in Path 1.

Favourites: Wales

Underdogs: Northern Ireland 

Path 2: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Albania

Semi-final 1, Ukraine vs Sweden:

Ukraine are the favourites heading into this tie against an underperforming Swedish side which finished bottom of their qualification group. 

However, Sweden has a star-studded squad with the likes of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, and with such individual brilliance, they could sneak their way into the World Cup next year.

Semi-final 2, Poland vs Albania:

Robert Lewandowski’s side have experience in their favour and have consistently done well in the European qualifiers. However, their record in the main stage is poor.

Albania are a structured side defensively, and after having qualified for the Euros last year, they would be keen on qualifying for the World Cup as well. Although Poland are the favourites heading into this tie, one must not sleep on Albania.

Favourites: Poland

Underdogs: Ukraine

Path 3: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo

Semi-final 1, Turkey vs Romania:

Turkey has the experience of qualifying in major tournaments before and pulled off a stunning display against reigning European champions Spain in the last game of the qualification.

Romania are an unpredictable side and have killed many giants in the past, but this Turkish side with the likes of Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz, Deniz Gul and Hakan Calhanoglu would be the firm favourites heading into this tie.

Semi-final 2, Slovakia vs Kosovo:

Kosovo have already proven their mettle in the qualifiers group stage, and one must not sleep on them for their FIFA ranking. They lack big names but are defensively structured and went toe to toe with Switzerland for the World Cup spot.

Slovakia has the firepower, but an underwhelming 6-0 loss away to Germany might have taken some momentum away from the team. As per recent performances, Kosovo carry the momentum and form heading into this tie as the favourites.

Favourites: Turkey 

Underdogs: Kosovo

Path 4: Denmark, North Macedonia, Republic of Ireland and Czech Republic 

Semi-final 1, Denmark vs North Macedonia:

Denmark missed out on automatic qualification in the last game against Scotland in a thrilling encounter. However, North Macedonia are comparatively a weaker side and lost 7-1 against Wales in their previous game.

Although Denmark are clear favourites in this tie, North Macedonia had knocked Italy out of the World Cup qualifiers last time and are quite unpredictable.

Semi-final 2, Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland:

The Republic of Ireland looked dead and buried with just two games left in the qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary. However, Troy Parrott did the unthinkable by leading the charge and pushing his nation across the line against the two European giants.

The Czech Republic are a strong side which includes players like Tomas Soucek and Patrick Schick, who could prove to be the difference-maker as well. The Irish carry the momentum and would be looking to book their spot in the World Cup next year.

Favourites: Republic of Ireland 

Underdogs: North Macedonia 

Intercontinental Playoffs 

The intercontinental playoffs will be contested between 6 countries from the five confederations except UEFA. Two nations with the best FIFA ranking will be seeded and go straight into the finals. 4 remaining countries will be seeded into semi-finals to compete for one spot in the World Cup in the United States next year.

Semi-final 1, New Caledonia or Jamaica vs Congo DR:

Congo DR are set to play the winners of the semi-final clash between Jamaica and New Caledonia. The Caribbean side are the firm favourites to qualify for the final with their firepower, and it would be one of the greatest underdog stories ever if 149th-ranked New Caledonia even managed to reach the playoff final.

Favourites: Congo DR

Underdogs: New Caledonia

Semi-final 2, Bolivia or Suriname vs Iraq:

Iraq managed to scrape past the UAE to book a spot in the playoffs and have qualified for the finals thanks to their higher ranking. The Middle Eastern nation led by Zidane Iqbal are defensively solid and could reach the World Cup next year.

Suriname, ranked 123rd, have players with European experience, including former Dutch skipper Georginio Wijnaldum. However, Bolivia are known giant killers and had beaten Brazil in the qualification group stage, therefore being the firm favourites to beat the African nation and reach the playoffs final against Iraq.

Favourites: Bolivia

Underdogs: Suriname