The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches a critical juncture for sixteen European nations, with the high-stakes play-off draw set to take place this week. For teams like the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this represents a final chance to secure their spot in football's global showpiece.
Which Teams Are in the Play-Offs?
The line-up for the European play-offs is now confirmed, featuring a mix of twelve teams that finished as runners-up in their initial qualifying groups and four sides that earned a second chance via the Nations League. The confirmed participants include a strong contingent from the British Isles, with the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all involved.
They are joined by other notable footballing nations such as Italy, Ukraine, Albania, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Sweden. The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the European qualifying campaign.
Key Dates and Knockout Format
The all-important Uefa play-off draw is scheduled for Thursday, 20 November, at 12pm GMT. This draw will determine the semi-final match-ups for the single-leg knockout tournament.
The path to qualification is brutally simple and requires two victories in quick succession. The play-off semi-finals will be held on 26 March 2026, with the winners advancing to the finals just five days later on 31 March 2026. There is no margin for error in this win-or-go-home format.
The Road to the World Cup Draw
Once the play-offs conclude, the full field for the 2026 World Cup will be set. The grand final draw for the tournament will be held on Friday, 5 December, at 5pm GMT / 12pm EST in Washington DC.
In a notable addition to the event, it has been confirmed that former US President Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance at the ceremony. For the sixteen teams battling in the play-offs, the dream of hearing their name in that draw remains alive, but hangs on two crucial performances next spring.
