Key Takeaways:
- FIFA has confirmed Guadalajara and Monterrey as the host cities for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoffs
- Six nations from five confederations will compete between March 23-31 for the final two tournament berths
- The official playoff draw was scheduled to take place in Zurich today, alongside the European qualifier pairings
Host Cities and Tournament Overview
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced that the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey will play host to the intercontinental playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. This decisive tournament is set to determine the final two slots for the competition, bringing together six national teams, each representing five different confederations.
The event will be held from March 23 to 31, with matches staged at two stadiums that are also scheduled for use during the main tournament, which will be jointly hosted later in the year by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Two of the final @FIFAWorldCup spots will be decided in Mexico! 🇲🇽
Estadio Guadalajara and Estadio Monterrey will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament between 23 and 31 March 2026. pic.twitter.com/PzvA8NSZ0q
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 19, 2025
Participating Nations
The intercontinental playoff line-up is as follows, detailing their respective confederation zones:
| Country | Confederation Zone |
|---|---|
| Iraq | Asia Zone |
| DR Congo | Africa Zone |
| Bolivia | South America Zone |
| New Caledonia | Oceania Zone |
| Jamaica | Central America and Caribbean Zone |
| Suriname | Central America and Caribbean Zone |
FIFA’s Perspective
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented: “These legendary stadiums will be the arenas for a tournament full of passion, drama, and inspiration. The playoffs offer fans the chance to be part of making history. The matches will take place less than three months before the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.”
Draw and Scheduling
The playoff draw is scheduled to be conducted in Zurich today. This ceremony will also determine the match-ups for the European World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for the final push towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
