Inter-Confederation playoffs explained: Format, teams, and key dates for 2026 World Cup

The buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to get more intense as the last qualification windows close around the world . With 42 nations already booked for the expanded 48-team tournament , the remaining spots have suddenly become some of the most valuable in world football. Four of those places will come through UEFA's playoff route , while the final two will be sorted through the inter-confederation playoffs .

This qualifying round used to feel like a quiet final step, but the 2026 edition transforms it into something much more attention-grabbing . It is now a compact and highly strategic tournament set to take place just months before kickoff. The six teams involved know they are one win away from a dream and one misstep away from missing the biggest World Cup ever staged.

The confirmed participants come from every corner of the football map. CONCACAF sends Jamaica and Suriname , the two best runners-up from its group stage. Africa's CAF will be represented by DR Congo , while Bolivia carries the South American flag. From Asia comes Iraq, and from Oceania , New Caledonia rounds out the lineup. Only two will survive the playoff gauntlet .

A new format built for high-pressure moments

The inter-confederation playoffs will be hosted in Mexico during the FIFA window of March 23 to March 31 , 2026 . The draw is scheduled for November 20 in Zurich , where the six teams will be split into two three-team brackets. Seeding is determined by the FIFA Men's World Ranking .

The inter-confederation playoffs will follow a compact, knockout-style layout designed to maximize intensity. Here's the breakdown:

Six teams total

Teams are divided into two brackets

Seeding is based on the FIFA Men's World Ranking

Step 1: Semifinals

Step 2: Bracket finals

Step 3: World Cup qualification

Match rules

As anticipation builds ahead of the November draw , all six teams understand how close they are to rewriting their football history. The tournament doubles as a test event for Mexico and as a last, electrifying chapter in World Cup qualifying. When the calendar flips to March 2026 , the pressure will be massive and the stakes even higher.