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World Cup 2026: Last Chance Saloon for Nations!
19 Nov
Summary
- 39 nations secured spots, 9 more to qualify via play-offs.
- Draw set for November 20, 2025, at FIFA HQ in Zurich.
- Play-offs include UEFA and inter-confederation formats in March 2026.
The qualification journey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its final, dramatic phase. As of today, 39 nations have confirmed their place in the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Nine remaining spots will be decided through intense play-off matches.
The pivotal draw for these play-offs is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025, commencing at 12 PM GMT from FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. While not televised in the UK, the draw will be available via live stream on the BBC Sport website and app.
Both UEFA and inter-confederation play-offs are slated for March 2026. The UEFA play-offs will feature single-leg knockout matches, with 16 teams drawn into four groups of four, each needing two wins to secure a World Cup berth. Inter-confederation play-offs will involve lower-ranked teams battling for the final spots.
