The path to the 2026 World Cup is beginning to take shape, with 22 teams still vying for six remaining tournament spots. FIFA has structured the playoffs into two separate competitions, one exclusively for UEFA nations. This 16-team event will determine four qualifiers for the World Cup through single-leg semifinals and finals scheduled across Europe in March 2026.

Among the most anticipated matchups, Italy will host Northern Ireland in a clash of historic significance. The four-time World Cup winners have once again missed out on direct qualification, following their absences in both 2018 and 2022, despite lifting the Euro 2020 trophy in between. The victor of this fixture will then face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina, who meet in another one-legged semifinal. Wales enter the playoffs in strong form after their emphatic 7–1 win over North Macedonia, and home advantage could play a key role in their campaign.

Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland has been drawn against Czechia in Path D, avoiding a potential early encounter with Italy or Wales. Should they progress, they may face Denmark, who narrowly missed automatic qualification and will meet North Macedonia in the other semifinal of Path D. Dublin is expected to host the Path D final, giving the Irish a potential home boost in the decisive clash.

Sweden, despite possessing considerable attacking talent, scraped into the playoffs through their Nations League performance. They face Ukraine in a semifinal in Path B, with the winner set to play either Poland or Albania on home soil. Paths A and C will see fixtures including Türkiye vs. Romania and Slovakia vs. Kosovo, each producing a qualifier through a single-match final on March 31, 2026.

Inter-confederation playoffs to take place in Mexico

The remaining two World Cup berths will be decided through a separate inter-confederation tournament hosted in Mexico, involving DR Congo, Bolivia, New Caledonia, Iraq, Jamaica, and Suriname. These matches will be held in Guadalajara and Monterrey in March 2026.

Jamaica, currently without a permanent manager following the exit of Steve McClaren, will meet OFC nation New Caledonia in their semifinal. The winner will face DR Congo in the final for one of the two available spots. Meanwhile, Bolivia will take on Suriname, who are bidding for their first-ever World Cup appearance. Iraq waits to meet the winner of that semifinal, with a place in North America at stake for the victor.

The inter-confederation format ensures that teams from different continents compete directly for qualification. Both semifinals and finals are scheduled to be single-leg matches, providing a high-pressure environment where every result counts. With two separate venues in Mexico, organizers aim to stage a compact and decisive playoff series ahead of next summer’s expanded tournament.

Key fixtures and dates to watch

The UEFA playoffs kick off on March 26, 2026, with eight semifinals taking place across four paths. Italy vs. Northern Ireland and Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina headline Path A, while Ukraine vs. Sweden and Poland vs. Albania dominate Path B. Path C features Türkiye vs. Romania and Slovakia vs. Kosovo, and Path D concludes the first round with Denmark vs. North Macedonia and Czechia vs. the Republic of Ireland.

All UEFA finals are set for March 31, 2026, providing clarity on the European qualifiers ahead of the tournament. In Mexico, exact dates are still to be confirmed for the inter-confederation semifinals and finals, but all matches are expected to occur within the same month.

With six World Cup spots still up for grabs, March 2026 promises to deliver thrilling, high-stakes football, determining the last nations to join the 2026 World Cup lineup.

Kenny McLean’s goal from the halfway line sealed a historic win for Scotland, sending the team to their first men’s World Cup in almost 30 years. The Norwich midfielder celebrated wildly, chased by almost every teammate as the stadium erupted around him.

Earlier in the match, Ben Gannon-Doak had to be taken off on a stretcher, but that didn’t stop the intensity of the celebrations. Fans and players alike were overwhelmed with emotion, as fireworks lit up the Hampden roof and Scott McTominay collapsed to the turf in sheer joy.

McTominay’s overhead kick was one of the standout moments, leaving spectators in tears and disbelief. Even veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, approaching 43, struggled to process the scenes as the stadium’s DJ played “Freed From Desire,” encapsulating the surreal atmosphere.

Bodies flew across the pitch, and manager Steve Clarke joined in the jubilation, witnessing a generation-defining match that had fans and players alike basking in one of the greatest moments in Scottish football history.

From hardship to glory

The drama of Scotland’s qualifying journey made this night feel destined. While some attributed the victory to luck, McTominay’s bicycle kick and the team’s resilience in responding twice to Denmark’s threat showed skill and determination rather than chance.

Fans remarked that the result felt like the culmination of nearly 30 years of near misses, a chance for the team and supporters to finally cash in on years of disappointment. Others jokingly suggested that the players had bargained with fate itself to reach this stage.

For veterans like Andy Robertson and John McGinn, both 31, this achievement carried special significance. They played pivotal roles both on the pitch and in the celebrations, pouring years of dedication and emotion into this historic campaign.

The jubilant scenes in the stands reflected the collective release of tension, with fans moving between bedlam, disbelief, and elation as the game unfolded in dramatic fashion.

Living the dream alongside the nation

From the very first whistle, the players and fans were fully immersed in the occasion. McTominay’s early strike sent him sprinting to the dugout, acknowledging his loved ones and marking what would soon be called the goal of his career.

The stadium witnessed further moments of brilliance from Kieran Tierney and McLean, each contributing to an unforgettable match that fans will remember for a lifetime. The celebrations spilled beyond the pitch, as supporters joined in dancing, cheering, and hugging in relief and happiness.

As the stands emptied, veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon lingered to capture the moment with his family, reflecting on a career that now included fulfilling a long-held World Cup dream. Many players in the squad were too young to remember Scotland’s last appearance on football’s biggest stage, making this achievement all the more special.

Next summer, the team will step onto the world stage alongside the nation, turning a long-cherished dream into reality and giving Scotland’s supporters a moment they will never forget.

Craig Bellamy, known for his pursuit of excellence, witnessed his Wales squad approach near perfection on Tuesday night as they dominated North Macedonia 7-1. The victory not only secured second place in their World Cup qualifying group but also guaranteed home advantage for the playoff semi-final in March.

The Welsh players combined rapid, fluid attacking play with intense off-the-ball pressure, leaving their opponents struggling to cope. North Macedonia had previously conceded just three goals in seven qualifiers, yet they doubled that tally in the first 19 minutes of the match, leaving Cardiff City Stadium in awe.

Bellamy reflected on the performance, acknowledging the rarity of such displays. “I am not a perfect person; I haven’t come across anyone who is,” he said. “But that was as close to the perfect performance as I have seen. That was incredible.”

He highlighted the team’s use of three creative players rather than a traditional forward, noting how their movement and coordination created clear opportunities for wide players. “We were just so clean with the ball, and that allows you to have good chances,” he added.

Dominating from start to finish

The match, initially expected to be tense, quickly became one-sided. Wales overwhelmed a North Macedonian side that had not conceded away from home this campaign and only needed a draw to maintain second place. The Welsh display was free of anxiety, instead creating an electric, celebratory atmosphere in Cardiff.

Bellamy emphasized that the performance represented the realization of his coaching philosophy: persistent pressing combined with fluid forward movement and a strong focus on attacking. The team executed his vision flawlessly, producing a display that highlighted both tactical intelligence and physical intensity.

While acknowledging North Macedonia’s quality, Bellamy noted that Wales was ready to exploit opportunities. “I do feel there’s been a few games they’ve been fortunate in, and I did feel there was a team ready to hurt them, and I thought it could be us,” he said.

Warning to future opponents

Beyond the emphatic victory, Wales sent a clear message to their potential playoff rivals. The team will be drawn from pot two in Zurich on Thursday, ensuring a home semi-final against one of the pot three teams: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, or the Republic of Ireland. Home advantage for the final will also be determined during the draw.

Since the introduction of this format, Wales have played all four of their previous World Cup and European Championship play-off semi-finals and finals in Cardiff, winning three of them. This history adds weight to the significance of their upcoming matches in March.

Reflecting on Tuesday’s performance, Bellamy praised the team’s execution and readiness. “When we play at home, it’s very important for us. Tonight was as close to perfect as I could have asked for,” he said. He also cautioned that future opponents will be challenging, noting, “The teams in pot three are going to be similar to what we faced tonight.”

Haiti has secured a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua, earning a spot at the World Cup for only the second time in its history. Remarkably, the team’s French manager, Sebastien Migne, has never set foot in the country since taking charge 18 months ago.

The 52-year-old coach has been unable to travel to Haiti due to ongoing conflicts that make it unsafe for international visitors. As a result, the national team has had to play its home fixtures more than 500 miles away in Curacao, near the coast of Venezuela.

The nation has faced severe instability since the 2010 earthquake, with gangs controlling much of Port-au-Prince and forcing around 1.3 million residents to flee their homes. Food scarcity and high levels of violence continue to threaten daily life.

Authorities strongly advise against travel to Haiti, citing risks such as kidnappings, violent crime, terrorist activity, and civil unrest. Migne explained, “It’s impossible because it’s too dangerous,” adding that he normally resides in the country where he coaches but cannot do so here.

Remote management and a foreign-based squad

Unable to be physically present, Migne has managed the team remotely, relying heavily on updates from Haitian football federation officials over the phone. He previously served as Cameroon’s assistant coach during the last World Cup, bringing valuable experience to the squad despite his distance.

The Haitian roster now consists entirely of players based overseas, including Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who was born in France. The team also hopes to convince Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor, born in France to Haitian parents, to join their ranks.

This approach has allowed Haiti to overcome logistical challenges and remain competitive on the international stage, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.

Looking forward to the World Cup

By defeating Nicaragua, Haiti has booked a place at the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Their last appearance in the tournament was in 1974, where they were eliminated in the first round after losses to Italy, Poland, and Argentina.

Joining Haiti as CONCACAF qualifiers are Panama, who beat El Salvador 3-0, and World Cup debutants Curacao, who advanced after drawing with Jamaica.

For Haiti, this marks a major milestone in its football history, achieving qualification under circumstances that few could have anticipated.

Curaçao has made history by becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup after securing a draw against Jamaica in Kingston. The Caribbean island, with a population of just over 150,000 and covering only 171 square miles, surpasses Iceland’s previous record from the 2018 tournament.

Jamaica, coached by former England manager Steve McClaren, needed a victory to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998 but were held to a goalless draw. A late VAR review also overturned a penalty that could have changed the outcome. Following the match, McClaren resigned as Jamaica’s head coach.

Curacao’s coach, Dick Advocaat, who missed the game for personal reasons, will make history as the oldest coach at a World Cup at 78, surpassing Otto Rehhagel’s record with Greece in 2010.

Since becoming a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, Curaçao has made remarkable progress, rising from 150th to 82nd in FIFA rankings over the past decade.

The expanded 2026 World Cup format, increasing participants to 48 nations, combined with automatic qualification for hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, contributed to Curacao’s opportunity. They join other debutants Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan for the upcoming tournament.

Unbeaten qualifying campaign and key moments

Curacao’s qualifying run was impressive, finishing the 10-game campaign unbeaten with seven victories. Midfielder Juninho Bacuna described the achievement as extraordinary for both him and the nation, highlighting the pride in representing his home country on the world stage.

Their qualification was nearly jeopardized in the final minutes of the Jamaica match when a potential penalty was awarded for a Curaçao foul. The decision was swiftly reversed after a VAR check, leaving the Jamaican crowd frustrated and confirming Curaçao’s place at the World Cup.

Joining Curacao from the CONCACAF region will be Haiti and Panama, while Jamaica will now enter the intercontinental play-offs. Haiti secured their first World Cup appearance since 1974 with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua.

Advocaat’s impact and squad composition

Dick Advocaat, a Dutch coach with experience at eight national teams, including the Netherlands, South Korea, and Russia, only took charge of Curaçao after resolving a dispute between players and the national association. His focus was immediately on qualifying for the 2026 tournament.

Bacuna praised Advocaat’s influence, noting that the coach’s experience and leadership have been pivotal in improving the team’s performance and mentality throughout the Nations League and World Cup qualifying.

Most of Curaçao’s squad were born in the Netherlands but qualified through family heritage. Players include Joshua Brenet (Livingston), Ar’jany Martha (Rotherham), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), and Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), with Chong being the only squad member born on the island itself.

For Bacuna, playing for Curacao offered a chance to compete alongside his older brother Leandro, the team captain, which was a significant motivation. He explained that he chose to represent Curaçao at 21 after recognizing limited opportunities to play for the Netherlands senior team.

Bacuna also believes Curacao’s recent success will encourage more young Dutch-born players to join the national squad, strengthening the team and continuing its upward trajectory in international football.