The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a unique draw process. There are still six spots remaining for the tournament, which will host 48 teams. Four of these slots will come from UEFA playoffs, while two will be determined through international playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
Upcoming Draw and Team Placements
FIFA has designated the available positions as UEFA A, UEFA B, UEFA C, UEFA D, FIFA 1, and FIFA 2. All potential teams competing for these slots are grouped in Pot 4 for the draw.
UEFA Playoff Teams
Here is a breakdown of the teams vying for spots in the UEFA playoff:
- UEFA A: Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia
- UEFA B: Poland, Albania, Ukraine, Sweden
- UEFA C: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo
- UEFA D: Denmark, North Macedonia, Ireland, Czech Republic
International Playoff Teams
The two additional spots will be filled from the international playoff matches:
- FIFA 1: Democratic Republic of the Congo, New Caledonia, Jamaica
- FIFA 2: Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname
Summary of Playoff Structure
| Position | Competing Teams |
|---|---|
| UEFA A | Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia |
| UEFA B | Poland, Albania, Ukraine, Sweden |
| UEFA C | Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo |
| UEFA D | Denmark, North Macedonia, Ireland, Czech Republic |
| FIFA 1 | Democratic Republic of the Congo, New Caledonia, Jamaica |
| FIFA 2 | Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname |
As the tournament approaches, fans will eagerly anticipate which teams secure their World Cup berths through these critical playoff matches.
