The worldwide break in November was decisive for the World Cup qualifiers in multiple confederation. Many groups secured their place within the FIFA match in 2026, whereas others superior to the intercontinental playoff that will probably be performed within the subsequent worldwide break.
This Thursday FIFA held the draw for the matchups of that match, which is able to happen between March 23 and 31 within the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, in Mexico. There, six groups from 5 totally different confederations will compete for the ultimate two spots within the World Cup.
The one exception is Europe, which may have its personal playoff on the identical dates, from which 4 groups will qualify. These 4, together with the 2 groups that emerge from the intercontinental playoff, will probably be positioned in Pot 4 for the group-stage draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington.
The format and matchups of the intercontinental playoff
The six groups that reached the intercontinental playoff had been cut up into two separate brackets. Based mostly on their present place within the FIFA rankings, two of them had been seeded and given the benefit of getting into at a later stage: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (56th) and Iraq (58th).
Bolivia earned their place within the intercontinental playoffs after defeating Brazil within the South American qualifiers.
Within the first semifinal, New Caledonia (149th) will face Jamaica (seventieth). The winner of that matchup will play the decisive sport towards DR Congo for a spot within the 2026 World Cup in North America.
see additionally
World Cup 2026: Up to date listing of the 42 groups already certified after the November FIFA break
On the opposite facet, the semifinal will characteristic Bolivia (76th) towards Suriname (123rd). They’ll play to find out the finalist who will face Iraq in Zone 2 of the intercontinental playoff.
How did every workforce attain the intercontinental playoff?
The primary workforce to safe its place within the intercontinental playoff was New Caledonia, which superior by means of three levels of the qualifiers in Oceania earlier than dropping the ultimate to New Zealand. Though they missed the possibility for direct qualification, they now have a historic alternative to succeed in a World Cup for the primary time.
In South America, Bolivia completed in seventh place within the standings, overtaking Venezuela within the remaining match and likewise abandoning Peru and Chile. Now the Bolivian workforce will attempt to return to a World Cup after 32 years, following its final look in america 1994.
Iraq reached the playoff after a demanding path within the AFC qualifiers, which consisted of 5 levels. After lacking two alternatives for direct qualification, they secured the playoff spot by defeating United Arab Emirates in November. In Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo completed second in its qualifiers group after which reached the playoff by eliminating two giants: Cameroon and Nigeria.
Lastly, in Concacaf the qualification probabilities for the World Cup elevated as a result of america, Mexico and Canada had assured locations as hosts. With that situation, Suriname and Jamaica wanted to advance by means of three rounds earlier than reaching the playoff, qualifying as the perfect runners-up of their respective teams.
