Road to 2026: How the Final Intercontinental Play-Offs Will Decide the Last World Cup Spots

Road to 2026: How the Final Intercontinental Play-Offs Will Decide the Last World Cup Spots

By BSN Sports 

FIFA has officially confirmed the draw for the 2026 World Cup Intercontinental Play-Offs, outlining the final qualification pathway for the last two spots at the expanded tournament,BNSports.com.ng reports.

The draw, conducted on Thursday afternoon, produced two play-off brackets Path A and Path B each featuring one semi-final and one final. The winners of both finals will secure the remaining berths at the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Path A

New Caledonia will face Jamaica in the semi-final, with the winner set to meet DR Congo in the final. DR Congo received an automatic bye into the decider as one of the two seeded teams based on the FIFA Men’s World Rankings.

Path B

Bolivia and Suriname will contest the Path B semi-final. The victor will advance to face Iraq, the second seeded team, in the final.

The two final winners will complete the 48-team World Cup lineup.

FULL PLAY-OFF FIXTURES

Play-Off Path A

Semi-final: New Caledonia vs Jamaica

Final: Winner of New Caledonia/Jamaica vs DR Congo

Play-Off Path B

Semi-final: Bolivia vs Suriname

Final: Winner of Bolivia/Suriname vs Iraq