The final six places for the 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided tomorrow, Tuesday, 31 March, as 12 nations compete in “winner-takes-all” playoff finals.
Four spots are reserved for European sides through the UEFA pathways, while the remaining two will be claimed via the intercontinental playoffs held in Mexico. Following the World Cup draw held in December, all qualifying teams will be placed directly into pre-determined groups.
UEFA Playoff Finals
Eight European teams remain in contention for four available berths. These matches are single-leg finals, with the victors qualifying immediately for the tournament.
Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST (UK Time)
| Match | Venue | Odds: To Qualify (Fractional) |
| Path A: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Italy | Zenica | Bosnia 3/1; Italy 2/9 |
| Path B: Sweden vs Poland | Solna | Sweden 1/2; Poland 6/4 |
| Path C: Kosovo vs Türkiye | Prishtine | Kosovo 7/4; Türkiye 2/5 |
| Path D: Czechia vs Denmark | Prague | Czechia 13/8; Denmark 4/9 |
Intercontinental Playoff Finals
The final two spots in the global field will be determined in Mexico. Jamaica and Bolivia enter these finals having secured victories in their respective semi-final ties.
| Match | Venue | Date/Time (BST) | Odds: To Qualify (Fractional) |
| Final 1: DR Congo vs Jamaica | Guadalajara | 31 March – 22:00 | DR Congo 2/5; Jamaica 7/4 |
| Final 2: Iraq vs Bolivia | Monterrey | 01 April – 04:00 | Iraq 4/5; Bolivia 19/20 |
Technical Breakdown
- Format: These fixtures are knockout finals. In the event of a draw at the end of regulation time, extra time and penalties will determine the winner.
- The Market: Based on Bet365 data as of 09:00 Monday, Italy (2/9) are the strongest favourites of the playoff round, while the Iraq vs Bolivia match represents the most evenly matched contest according to the oddsmakers.
- Pathways: Winners will be granted a place at the World Cup and automatically assigned to the group path determined by the FIFA draw conducted last December.
- Locations: While the UEFA matches are hosted by the home nations, the intercontinental finals are being staged in the host cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey as part of the preparations for the main tournament.
Author:
LinkedIn
E-mail