𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: UEFA Confirms Play-off Format for 2026 World Cup Spots

 UEFA has officially confirmed the format and structure of the European play-offs that will decide the last four tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Europe allocated 16 slots for the expanded World Cup, twelve teams will qualify automatically as group winners, while the remaining four places will be determined through a high-stakes play-off tournament.

A total of 16 teams will compete in the play-offs: the 12 runners-up from the European qualifying groups and four Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualification groups. These teams will be divided into four separate play-off paths, each containing four teams.

Each path will feature single-leg semi-finals and a single-leg final, with the winners of all four finals securing a place in the 2026 World Cup. Semi-finals will be played on 26 March 2026, while the decisive finals are scheduled for 31 March 2026.

UEFA will seed the teams for the draw based on FIFA rankings, with higher-ranked teams earning home advantage in the semi-finals. A separate draw will determine the host for each final.

The streamlined, winner-takes-all format promises drama across Europe as countries battle for the final four World Cup spots in March 2026.

— Pot 1:

• Italy 🇮🇹

• Denmark 🇩🇰

• Turkey 🇹🇷

• Ukraine 🇺🇦

— Pot 2:

• Poland 🇵🇱

• Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

• Czech Republic 🇨🇿

• Slovakia 🇸🇰

— Pot 3:

• Ireland 🇮🇪

• Albania 🇦🇱

• Bosnia 🇧🇦

• Kosovo 🇽🇰

— Pot 4:

• Sweden 🇸🇪

• Romania 🇷🇴

• North Macedonia 🇲🇰

• Northern Ireland