Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico, will host the intercontinental playoff tournament in March 2026, which will determine the final two teams to qualify for the expanded 48-nation FIFA World Cup.
FIFA announced the host cities on Wednesday via its official media channels and a post by President Gianni Infantino. The tournament, scheduled for March 23-31, 2026, will fill the last two available slots for the upcoming global showpiece.
Six national teams representing five confederations will compete in the single-game elimination format. Matches will take place at Estadio Guadalajara and Estadio Monterrey, two venues also slated to host games during the main World Cup tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his enthusiasm for the event. “It is a pleasure to confirm that Guadalajara and Monterrey will be the venues for the inaugural Qualification Tournament for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he stated. “These iconic stadiums are the perfect setting for what promises to be an exciting event, full of passion, drama, and excitement.”
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The six teams vying for the final spots are Iraq (Asia), Bolivia (South America), Democratic Republic of Congo (Africa), New Caledonia (Oceania), Jamaica (North, Central America and Caribbean), and Suriname (North, Central America and Caribbean).
The tournament’s format, a response to the World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams, involves two knockout rounds: semi-finals and finals.
The two highest-ranked teams among the six contenders will receive byes directly into the finals. The latest FIFA rankings before the playoff’s commencement dictate these teams are DR Congo and Iraq.
The remaining four nations—Bolivia, New Caledonia, Jamaica, and Suriname—will compete in two semi-final matches. Teams from the same confederation, such as Jamaica and Suriname from Concacaf, will not be drawn against each other in this initial round.
The winners of the two semi-finals will advance to play DR Congo and Iraq in the final round. The two teams victorious in these finals will secure their places at the World Cup.
The draw for the playoff matchups is scheduled for Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland, beginning at 12:00 UTC. The 2026 World Cup is set to run from June 11 to July 19.