With the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off on June 11, the final spots that are still up for grabs are being fiercely fought by nations in qualifiers around the globe.
The last governing body to complete their continental playoff route is UEFA, with four European spots still up for grabs at the showpiece event.
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Thereafter, FIFA’s Play-Off Tournament – an intercontinental competition – will provide the last-chance saloon for two more of the best non-qualified finishers from the other continental processes around the globe.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at UEFA’s final continental playoff path as that draws to a close.
Which UEFA teams are still in with a chance of World Cup qualification?
There will be more European teams than from any other continent at the World Cup: 16.
There are still 16 European teams, meanwhile, vying for the final four of the UEFA qualifying positions for the World Cup:
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Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania, Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkiye, Romania, Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia and the Republic of Ireland
Which UEFA teams have already qualified for the World Cup?
The 12 European teams that have already qualified for the World Cup are:
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Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Belgium, England, and Croatia
What is the pathway to the World Cup for the remaining UEFA teams?
The remaining teams are divided into four paths. Only the winner of each path will qualify:
Path A:
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Italy vs Northern Ireland and Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
The winner of this path joins World Cup Group B (with Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland).
Path B:
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Ukraine vs Sweden and Poland vs Albania
The winner of this path joins World Cup Group F (with the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia).
Path C:
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Slovakia vs Kosovo and Turkiye vs Romania
The winner of this path joins World Cup Group D (with USA, Paraguay, and Australia).
Path D:
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Denmark vs North Macedonia and Czechia vs Republic of Ireland
The winner of this path joins World Cup Group A (with Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea).
When are the first set of UEFA playoffs for World Cup qualification?
The first round of pathway matches will be played by the 16 remaining teams on March 27, and are single-leg semifinals.
When are the second set of UEFA playoffs for World Cup qualification?
The second round of pathway matches will be played on March 31, with the four winners of each pathway final progressing to the FIFA World Cup 2026. These matches will also be played over a single leg.
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How have the UEFA qualifiers reached this stage?
The four final UEFA qualifying places are being decided by the teams that were the 12 runners-up from the group qualifying stage and four based on performances in the UEFA Nations League.
How were the home teams decided for the UEFA playoffs?
The highest-ranked teams are hosting the semifinals. The hosts of the finals were determined by a draw.
Pressure on Italy as playoff hopefuls eye 2026 World Cup
There is no doubt that Italy are the biggest name not amongst those nations that have already qualified.
The four-time champions are seeking to avoid the ignominy of missing out on a World Cup for a third consecutive time.
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The spotlight has been on the Italian domestic league, Serie A, for falling behind the other leagues on the continent with their clubs struggling to compete in European competitions.
There will be no greater evidence of Italian football’s fall from grace, however, than the failure to reach the finals.
“It’s undeniable that there’s nervousness,” coach Gennaro Gattuso said. “Only someone without blood running through their veins wouldn’t feel it.”
Will there be any more qualifiers for the World Cup after UEFA’s?
Yes. There is a different format for the intercontinental playoffs, which FIFA simply calls the Play-Off Tournament.
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Two teams will advance from a field of six.
The lineup of teams was comprised of two nations from CONCACAF (Jamaica, Suriname) and one each from Asia (Iraq), Africa (DR Congo), South America (Bolivia) and Oceania (New Caledonia).
