The play-offs for the 2026 World Cup get underway on Thursday (March 26), with 22 teams still battling to qualify for the tournament in North America in June and July.
Sixteen European sides are contesting the UEFA matches and six teams from around the world are taking part in the inter-confederation fixtures.
The European nations have been split into four paths of four, with each section consisting of a semi-final and a final. Meanwhile, at the inter-confederation play-offs — which are being played in Mexico — the six sides have been divided into two paths of three, with the seeded team in each, DR Congo and Iraq, given a bye to the respective finals.
Overall, four sides will advance from the European section and two from the inter-confederation one. All six finals will take place on March 31 (local time).
So, here are the 22 national teams still dreaming of reaching the tournament and what you need to know about them ahead of what promises to be a mouth-watering feast of football.
Teams in the European play-offs
Path A
Wales
Previous World Cup appearances: Two
Best performance: Quarter-finals in 1958
Head coach: Craig Bellamy
Wales are aiming to reach consecutive World Cups for the first time following their appearance in Qatar in 2022. Their semi-final is against Bosnia and Herzegovina — a side they have failed to beat all four times they have played them.
The Welsh qualified for the play-offs as a result of coming second (behind Belgium) in their group in the first stage of European World Cup qualifying.
Semi-final vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (at home) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Previous World Cup appearances: One
Best performance: Group stage in 2014
Head coach: Sergej Barbarez
Bosnia and Herzegovina were edged out by Austria in the first stage of qualifying, but their dream of reaching a second World Cup remains alive due to the play-offs.
They are captained by Premier League-winning forward Edin Dzeko, who is his country’s all-time most-capped player (146 games) and top scorer (72 goals). Dzeko’s debut came in June 2007, with his near-19-year career the longest in the Bosnia and Herzegovina team’s history. The 40-year-old plays his club football for German side Schalke.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country with the shortest coastline (20km) to have ever played at the World Cup (excluding landlocked nations).
The winner of their tie with Wales will play the final at home.
Semi-final vs Wales (away) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Dzeko (No 11) playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina (Christian Hofer/Getty Images)
Italy
Previous World Cup appearances: 18
Best performance: Winners in 1934, 1938, 1982 & 2006
Head coach: Gennaro Gattuso
The Italians are desperately trying to avoid the nightmare scenario of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup. Norway were too good for the four-time champions in their qualification group, plunging Italy into the play-offs — where they fell to Sweden when trying to reach the 2018 edition and North Macedonia the 2022 one.
No former champion has ever been absent from three World Cups in a row before.
Semi-final vs Northern Ireland (at home) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Northern Ireland
Previous World Cup appearances: Three
Best performance: Quarter-finals in 1958
Head coach: Michael O’Neill
Northern Ireland’s last appearance at the World Cup came in 1986. Euro 2016, where they reached the round of 16, is the only major tournament they have appeared at in the intervening 40 years. Northern Ireland’s manager Michael O’Neill is also in charge of English Championship club Blackburn Rovers.
They qualified for the play-offs as a result of their 2024-25 Nations League ranking.
Semi-final vs Italy (away) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Path B
Ukraine
Previous World Cup appearances: One
Best performance: Quarter-finals in 2006
Head coach: Serhiy Rebrov
Ukraine are, for now, the only former Soviet Republic (excluding Russia) to have ever played at the World Cup. Uzbekistan will make that two this summer, but the question is whether the 2006 trailblazers will be there as well.
Ukraine missed out on the 2022 tournament, losing in the play-offs to Wales a little more than three months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of their country. Ukraine did qualify for Euro 2024, but were knocked out in the group stage.
They came second to France in the first round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, thus securing a play-off spot.
The team’s home games in that qualification group were played in Poland, while the play-off semi-final against Sweden will take place in Valencia in Spain (it is classified as a home game for Ukraine). Should Ukraine win that match, the final — against either Poland or Albania — will also be held in Valencia.
Semi-final vs Sweden (at home) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Sweden
Previous World Cup appearances: 12
Best performance: Second place in 1958
Head coach: Graham Potter
The last time Sweden were managed by an Englishman, they reached the World Cup final — on home soil in 1958 under George Raynor. Fast-forward 68 years, and Solihull-born Graham Potter is in charge and trying to ensure that the Swedes don’t miss back-to-back World Cups following their failure to reach the 2022 tournament.
Sweden qualified for the play-offs as a result of their 2024-25 Nations League ranking. If they beat Ukraine, the final will be played in Solna, in Sweden.
Semi-final vs Ukraine (away) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Poland
Previous World Cup appearances: Nine
Best performance: Third place in 1974 & 1982
Head coach: Jan Urban
Having played at the 2018 and 2022 editions, Poland are aiming to qualify for three World Cups in a row for the first time since a run of four that ended in 1986.
Robert Lewandowski, even at the age of 37, remains the team’s talisman, and his 88 international goals are only bettered by two Europeans in the sport’s history: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (143) and Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (89).
Poland came second to the Netherlands in their qualification group, hence their participation in the play-offs.
Semi-final vs Albania (at home) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Poland are aiming to make a third World Cup in a row (Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images)
Albania
Previous World Cup appearances: Zero
Best performance: N/A
Head coach: Sylvinho
Albania came a distant second behind England in their qualification group, but that was enough to reach the play-offs.
They have never played at the World Cup, with their only major-tournament appearances being Euro 2016 and Euro 2024.
If Albania do qualify for the competition, they will become the team from the earliest in the alphabet ever to play at the World Cup. Algeria are the ‘holders’ of that title at the moment.
Semi-final vs Poland (away) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Path C
Slovakia
Previous World Cup appearances: Nine (eight as Czechoslovakia)
Best performance: Second place in 1934 & 1962 (both as Czechoslovakia)
Head coach: Francesco Calzona
Following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in the early 1990s, the Slovakia national team have only reached the World Cup once: in 2010 (FIFA considers both Slovakia and Czech Republic the successor teams of Czechoslovakia). They were knocked out of that tournament in the round of 16 by the Netherlands, following victory over defending champions Italy in their final group game.
Slovakia have qualified for the last three editions of the European Championship, though — most recently reaching the round of 16 in 2024. They came second to Germany in the first round of qualifying for the World Cup.
Semi-final vs Kosovo (at home) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Kosovo
Previous World Cup appearances: Zero
Best performance: N/A
Head coach: Franco Foda
Kosovo have never played at a major tournament before, the only one of the 22 teams in this month’s play-offs for which this is true.
They came second in their qualification group to Switzerland, after impressively beating Sweden home and away.
The winner of the semi-final between Slovakia and Kosovo will be at home for the final.
Semi-final vs Slovakia (away) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Turkey
Previous World Cup appearances: Two
Best performance: Third place in 2002
Head coach: Vincenzo Montella
Turkey are the only team to have played at the World Cup fewer than six times to have registered a top-three finish at the tournament. They achieved this in 2002, when their impressive run to the semi-finals was ended by eventual winners Brazil. They beat hosts South Korea in the third-place play-off, with Hakan Sukur’s goal after 10.8 seconds in that match the fastest from kick-off in World Cup history.
Turkey haven’t been back since, but coming second to Spain in their qualification group has earned them a play-off spot.
Semi-final vs Romania (at home) on March 26 (5pm UK; 1pm ET)
Romania
Previous World Cup appearances: Seven
Best performance: Quarter-finals in 1994
Head coach: Mircea Lucescu
Romania are aiming to reach the World Cup for the first time in the 21st century, with their last appearance in the competition coming in 1998 when they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Croatia.
They qualified for the play-offs as a result of their 2024-25 Nations League ranking.
Semi-final vs Turkey (away) on March 26 (5pm UK; 1pm ET)
Path D
Czech Republic
Previous World Cup appearances: Nine (eight as Czechoslovakia)
Best performance: Second place in 1934 & 1962 (both as Czechoslovakia)
Head coach: Miroslav Koubek
The 2006 edition is the only World Cup that Czech Republic have played at since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia (FIFA considers both Czech Republic and Slovakia the successor teams of Czechoslovakia). They have, however, appeared at all eight European Championships that have been staged in this time — reaching the final in 1996 and semi-finals in 2004.
They came second to Croatia in the first stage of European qualifying.
Semi-final vs Republic of Ireland (at home) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
The Czech Republic are trying to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2006 (Michal Cizek/AFP via Getty Images)
Republic of Ireland
Previous World Cup appearances: Three
Best performance: Quarter-finals in 1990
Head coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson
The Republic of Ireland have reached the knockout stage all three times they have played at the World Cup, getting to the quarter-finals in 1990 and the round of 16 in 1994 and 2002.
However, they have failed to qualify for the last five editions of the tournament and will be desperate to reach the competition for the first time in a generation. They came second to Portugal in the first stage of qualifying.
The winner of the semi-final between the Irish and the Czech Republic will have home advantage for the final.
Semi-final vs Czech Republic (away) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Denmark
Previous World Cup appearances: Six
Best performance: Quarter-finals in 1998
Head coach: Brian Riemer
Denmark are aiming to reach three World Cups in a row for the first time in their history. They suffered the blow of missing out on automatic qualification as a result of their defeat by Scotland in Glasgow in the final match of their qualification group.
Semi-final vs North Macedonia (at home) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
North Macedonia
Previous World Cup appearances: Zero
Best performance: N/A
Head coach: Goce Sedloski
Euro 2020 is the only previous major tournament that North Macedonia have played at, with the nation reaching the World Cup play-offs due to their 2024-25 Nations League ranking.
If North Macedonia do qualify for the competition in North America, they will be the eighth team in history with a cardinal direction in their name to play at the World Cup — after North Korea, Northern Ireland, Dutch East Indies, East Germany, South Korea, South Africa and West Germany.
Semi-final vs Denmark (away) on March 26 (7.45pm UK; 3.45pm ET)
Teams in the inter-confederation play-offs
Pathway 1
New Caledonia (Oceania)
Previous World Cup appearances: Zero
Best performance: N/A
Head coach: Johann Sidaner
New Caledonia is a French territory in the Pacific Ocean, but it has its own national football team. They came second to New Zealand in the Oceania section of qualifying for the World Cup, thus securing their spot in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Semi-final vs Jamaica (in Zapopan, Mexico) on March 27 (3am UK; 11pm ET on March 26)
Jamaica (North, Central America and the Caribbean)
Previous World Cup appearances: One
Best performance: Group stage in 1998
Head coach: Rudolph Speid
Jamaica just missed out on qualifying automatically for the World Cup, being held to a goalless draw by Curacao last November.
That failure resulted in former England manager Steve McClaren resigning as the country’s head coach, meaning Rudolph Speid will lead the team into the inter-confederation play-offs.
Semi-final vs New Caledonia (in Zapopan, Mexico) on March 27 (3am UK; 11pm ET on March 26)
DR Congo (Africa)
Previous World Cup appearances: One (as Zaire)
Best performance: First group stage in 1974 (as Zaire)
Head coach: Sebastien Desabre
DR Congo beat Nigeria on penalties in the final of the second round of African qualification, which secured them their place in the inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico.
They haven’t reached the World Cup since 1974 when, as Zaire, they were beaten 9-0 by Yugoslavia in the first group stage — the joint-biggest defeat in the tournament’s history.
DR Congo will fancy themselves to beat either New Caledonia or Jamaica in the final.
Final vs New Caledonia/Jamaica (in Zapopan, Mexico) on March 31 (10pm UK; 5pm ET)
Pathway 2
Bolivia (South America)
Previous World Cup appearances: Three
Best performance: Group stage in 1930, 1950 & 1994
Head coach: Oscar Villegas
Bolivia haven’t played at the World Cup since 1994 — the last time the tournament was held in North America. If they do qualify for the 2026 edition, they will be desperate to reach the knockout stage for the first time.
They came seventh in South American qualifying, which secured them a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Semi-final vs Suriname (in Guadalupe, Mexico) on March 26 (10pm UK; 6pm ET)
Enzo Monteiro celebrating a goal for Bolivia (Gaston Brito Miserocchi/Getty Images)
Suriname (North, Central America and the Caribbean)
Previous World Cup appearances: Zero
Best performance: N/A
Head coach: Henk ten Cate
Suriname are Concacaf members and therefore participated in the North, Central America and the Caribbean section of qualifying, despite the country being in South America.
They were edged out by Panama in the final round of that qualification section, but did enough to secure a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.
The team’s players are based at clubs all over the world, from Robinhood in Suriname to Huddersfield Town in England.
Semi-final vs Bolivia (in Guadalupe, Mexico) on March 27 (10pm UK; 6pm ET)
Iraq (Asia)
Previous World Cup appearances: One
Best performance: Group stage in 1986
Head coach: Graham Arnold
The Iran war has complicated Iraq’s efforts to reach a first World Cup since 1986, as the team’s travel plans were thrown into chaos as a result of the conflict.
They are set to play in Mexico now, though, and will be focused on booking their place at the competition proper — something they will achieve if they can beat the winners of the game between Bolivia and Suriname.
Final vs Bolivia/Suriname (in Guadalupe, Mexico) on April 1 (4am UK; 11pm ET on March 31)