The 2026 World Cup qualification process is nearing its conclusion, though there are still several spots up for grabs.
In recent years, the World Cup line-up would have already been complete. However, as this tournament will be the first to include 48 teams, it means 16 more teams will qualify.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will be making their World Cup debuts.
For the teams that fail to top their qualifying group – or even some that missed out on a top two finish – the play-offs provide one final chance to keep the World Cup dream alive.
Here’s everything you need to know about the World Cup play-off draw…
Date, start time and venue
The 2026 World Cup play-off draw is scheduled for 12pm GMT start time on Thursday November 20, 2025.
The draw will take place at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Where to watch the 2026 World Cup play-off draw
TV channel: In the UK, the draw will not be be televised live on TV.
Live stream: The BBC Sport website and app will offer a live stream service.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog!
When the 2026 World Cup play-offs take place
There are two separate World Cup play-offs: The UEFA play-offs and the FIFA inter-confederation play-offs.
Both sets of play-offs will be held in March 2026. While the exact dates for the inter-confederation play-offs are still to be confirmed, the UEFA play-offs begin with the semi-finals on March 26 and conclude with the finals on March 31.
Troy Parrott celebrates sending the Republic of Ireland into the UEFA play-offs
AFP via Getty Images
2026 World Cup play-off format
The UEFA play-offs will be played in single-leg knockout matches, with the draw determining the path.
The 16 teams will be drawn into four sets of four, leaving each nation two wins away from the World Cup as semi-finals and then a final are played.
Pot A to Pot C will be determined based on FIFA World Rankings. Pot D will feature the four teams who qualified via the Nations League.
The inter-confederation play-offs will be see the bottom four teams in the FIFA rankings drawn into two single-elimination matches. The winners of those matches will advance to play the top two teams in two single-elimination matches, and the winners will qualify for the World Cup.
2026 World Cup play-off teams
Italy, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Albania and Czech Republic are, so far, the confirmed group runners-up in UEFA qualifying. They are joined by Romania, Sweden and Northern Ireland as three of the four best-ranked teams from the previous Nations League campaign who failed to finish in the top-two during the group phase.
Chancel Mbemba scored DR Congo’s winning penalty against Nigeria
REUTERS
When is the 2026 World Cup draw?
The 2026 World Cup draw will take place in the US capital of Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5, 2025. It will begin at 5pm GMT at the Kennedy Center.
