As a proud co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Canada is preparing to welcome the world. However, the guest list isn’t quite finished yet. Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, the final 6 spots in the expanded 48-team tournament will be claimed in a series of high-stakes “win-or-go-home” finals.
For fans across the country—from the vibrant Italian communities in Vaughan and Montreal to the Polish and Turkish diasporas in Toronto—these matches represent the final hurdle before the tournament begins on home soil.
UEFA Playoff Finals (Europe)
Four European nations will secure their travel plans to North America tomorrow. These matches kick off simultaneously in the afternoon for viewers in the Eastern Time Zone.
Kickoff Time: 3:45 PM ET (12:45 PM PT)
| Matchup | City | Favorite (Odds) | Underdog (Odds) |
| Path A: Bosnia vs. Italy | Zenica | Italy (1.22) | Bosnia (4.00) |
| Path B: Sweden vs. Poland | Solna | Sweden (1.50) | Poland (2.50) |
| Path C: Kosovo vs. Türkiye | Prishtine | Türkiye (1.40) | Kosovo (2.75) |
| Path D: Czechia vs. Denmark | Prague | Denmark (1.44) | Czechia (2.62) |
Intercontinental Playoff Finals (Mexico)
The final two tickets to the World Cup will be punched in Mexico, which shares hosting duties with Canada and the U.S. Both Jamaica (representing CONCACAF) and Bolivia (CONMEBOL) advanced from their semifinals to reach these ultimate deciders.
| Matchup | City | Date/Time (ET) | Favorite (Odds) | Underdog (Odds) |
| Final 1: DR Congo vs. Jamaica | Guadalajara | March 31 – 5:00 PM | DR Congo (1.40) | Jamaica (2.75) |
| Final 2: Iraq vs. Bolivia | Monterrey | March 31 – 11:00 PM | Iraq (1.80) | Bolivia (1.95) |
The Breakdown
- Format: These are single-game finals. There are no aggregate scores or second legs; the winner of each match qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup.
- The Odds: Per Bet365 (as of 9:00 AM Monday), the market for “To Qualify” heavily favours Italy (1.22) and DR Congo (1.40). The tightest contest of the day is expected to be Iraq vs. Bolivia, where the gap between the favourite and underdog is minimal.
- Pre-Slotted Groups: Following the draw held last December, these six qualifying slots are already assigned to specific groups. Tomorrow’s winners will immediately know their opponents and which host cities (including Toronto and Vancouver) they will be playing in this June.
- Canadian Significance: With Canada already qualified as a host, these matches finalize the pool of potential opponents the Voyageurs could face as the tournament progresses.
With the conclusion of the Iraq vs. Bolivia match late Tuesday night, the field of 48 will be complete, and the stage will be set for the biggest sporting event in Canadian history.
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