ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) — The ultimate six locations for the 2026 World Cup can be decided by two playoff tournaments in March.
4 extra groups will qualify from Europe, together with two from the remainder of the world.
The UEFA playoffs will include 16 nations, whereas FIFA’s intercontinental playoffs characteristic six.
The profitable groups will be a part of the 42 different nations to have certified for the World Cup in america, Canada and Mexico, which runs by means of June and July.
Right here’s what to know in regards to the playoffs.
European playoffs
Twelve runners up from the European qualifying teams superior to the playoffs. 4 extra groups superior because the highest-ranked group winners from the UEFA Nations League which didn’t place within the high two of their European qualifying group.
Group runners-up: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Eire, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, Wales.
Nations League group winners: Romania, Sweden, Northern Eire, North Macedonia.
Groups can be positioned in a seeded draw from 4 pots, primarily based on the FIFA rating place of the 12 runners-up. The highest eight groups can be seeded. The underside 4, together with the Nations League qualifiers can be unseeded.
The 4 top-seeded groups in Pot 1 can be assured semifinals towards the Nations League qualifiers. There can be eight semifinals in complete, with seeded groups drawn at house.
Seeded groups: (Pot 1) Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine; (Pot 2) Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
The winners of the semifinals advance to 4 finals to find out the groups that qualify for the World Cup.
The semifinals can be performed Mar. 26 and the finals can be Mar. 31.
Intercontinental playoffs
The intercontinental playoff event will carry collectively six groups from around the globe, vying for 2 qualifying locations.
Two groups from CONCACAF and one every from Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania will compete.
Playoff groups:
AFC – Iraq
CAF – Congo
CONCACAF – Jamaica, Suriname
CONMEBOL – Bolivia
OFC – New Caledonia
The 2 highest-ranked groups, Iraq and Congo, are seeded and robotically advance to one in all two playoff finals.
The 4 lowest-ranked groups are unseeded and can be drawn to play in two semifinals, with the winners advancing to one of many two playoff finals.
The 2 successful groups from the finals qualify for the World Cup.
The worldwide playoffs can be held between Mar. 23-31.
World Cup draw
The draw for the World Cup can be held in Washington DC on Dec. 5 earlier than the groups advancing by way of the playoffs have been confirmed.
The World Cup kicks off June 11 and the ultimate is scheduled for July 19.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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