Intercontinental Play-offs: Final Tickets to the 2026 World Cup in Mexico

A few weeks before the final qualifying phase, six teams are preparing to compete for the last two spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, through the intercontinental play-off organized by FIFA.

The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has introduced a new playoff format, providing an additional opportunity for national teams that did not achieve direct qualification in their qualifiers.

Participants and Confederations

In this mini tournament, six teams from five confederations will participate:

• A team from CONMEBOL.
• A team from AFC.
• A team from CAF.
• A team from OFC.
• Two representatives from CONCACAF.

Repechage Format

The competition system will be developed in two key stages:

• The two teams best positioned in the FIFA world ranking will advance directly to the final round.
• The remaining four teams will face each other in an initial knockout phase. The winners of these matches will advance to the decisive round.
• The winners of the final matches will get a direct ticket to the World Cup.

Headquarters and Calendar

The repechage will take place in Mexico at the end of March 2026, with matches scheduled at the BBVA Stadium and the Akron Stadium.

• The semi-finals are scheduled for March 26.
• The final matches, which will determine those classified, will be played on March 31.

In total, four matches will be played: two in the initial phase and two in the final round. The winners of these last matches will secure the remaining two spots for the tournament. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and will be the largest edition in the history of the championship.