2026 World Cup: 22 teams competing for the final six spots, final verdicts on 31/03/2026

22 teams are competing for the final six places at the 2026 World Cup (the first edition with 48 teams instead of 32 and 104 matches instead of 64), for which 42 nations have already qualified. Four will secure their place via the European play-offs, involving 16 teams, while the remaining two (non-European) spots will be decided through the FIFA Play-off Tournament, to be held in Guadalajara and Monterrey (Mexico), host cities of the 23^rd World Cup, on 26 and 31/03/2026.

I.- European play-offs (4 paths of 4 teams):
• Path A: Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina (the winner will join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B).
• Path B: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Albania (the winner will join Japan, Netherlands and Tunisia in Group F).
• Path C: Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo (the winner will join Australia, Paraguay and the United States in Group D).
• Path D: Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia and Republic of Ireland (the winner will join Korea Republic, Mexico and South Africa in Group A).

II.- FIFA Play-off Tournament (2 paths of 3 teams):
• Path 1: DR…