FIFA will host the official draws for the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in Zurich on November 20, setting the stage for determining the final six teams to join the 48-nation tournament. The expanded format, featuring teams from across the globe, has intensified the competition as countries battle for the remaining coveted spots.

The European playoff round will feature 16 teams, including football giants like Italy, divided into four brackets. Each bracket will feature single-leg semifinals and finals, determining four winners who will qualify for the main event scheduled in June and July 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Teams that finished second in their qualification groups, along with select Nations League group winners such as Wales and Sweden, will take part in this crucial stage.

Six non-European nations will compete for two remaining intercontinental playoff spots, with matches expected to take place in Mexico. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured their playoff positions. The games are set between March 26 and 31, while the official World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend. The playoff seeding will be based on the FIFA men’s world rankings to be released on November 19. This draw represents one of the final milestones before the highly anticipated World Cup, which promises to be the largest in history and the first ever hosted jointly by three North American nations.