As we have our first team confirmed, it's probably time to start the thread for the World Cup Qualification Play-Offs.

Six teams will compete in the Play-Offs with all federations aside from UEFA having a spot.

There will be one team from Africa, Asia, Oceania & South America and two teams from North America (as hosts of the tournament).

The four lowest ranked teams will be paired to form semi-finals with the winners of these ties earning the chance to play one of the two highest ranked teams in a final.

Two teams will book World Cup spots through these play-offs.

Ties will be played in March and will be hosted in one of the host nations (USA, Canada, Mexico)

Africa:

?

Asia:

?

North America:

?

?

Oceania:

New Caledonia (152)

South America:

?

New Caledonia's defeat in this morning's Oceania final means that they book the first spot in March's Play-Offs.

Africa:

?

Asia:

?

North America:

?

?

Oceania:

New Caledonia (152)

South America:

Bolivia (78)

Bolivia’s win over Brazil books them the South American spot in the Intercontinental Play-Offs.

The Play-Offs in March have now been confirmed to take place in Mexico.

Now we know a bit more about who will be in this:

Asia

United Arab Emirates vs. Iraq - 11/13 in UAE and 11/18 in Iraq

Africa

Nigeria vs. Gabon

Cameroon vs. Congo DR

Semifinals & Final - played in Morocco - 11/13 and 11/16

North America

TBD

Africa:

DR Congo (60)

Asia:

?

North America:

?

?

Oceania:

New Caledonia (150)

South America:

Bolivia (76)

We finally get our third qualifier and it's DR Congo who are the current top seeds with two from North America and one from Asia still to join.

Why do European teams no longer take part in this? I remember Ireland played Iran in 2001.

18 hours ago, Steve201 said:

Why do European teams no longer take part in this? I remember Ireland played Iran in 2001.

I think it's just because they already have such a significant number of direct qualifications and a large playoff round of their own. FIFA determined the number of spots for each continent but instead of Europe's split being a "potentially up to this number" they just made it the full number. In other words, back when they decided Europe gets 13 (in a previous year as an example), they decided 13 instead of 12.5, with the 0.5 being the intercontinental spot for other regions.

Edited November 17, 2025Nov 17 by DJHazey

Ah I see, thanks. I think I just like the thought of Ireland playing a competitive qualifier away from home against non European competition!

Africa:

DR Congo (60)

Asia:

Iraq (57)

North America:

?

?

Oceania:

New Caledonia (150)

South America:

Bolivia (76)

Iraq become the fourth team to book their spot with the final two teams from North America to be confirmed in the early hours of the morning.

Didn't know where else to post it but...unrelated and I know it was just a friendly, however 5-1 for us Americans vs. Uruguay. Wow.

Africa:

DR Congo (56)

Asia:

Iraq (58)

North America:

Jamaica (70)

Suriname (123)

Oceania:

New Caledonia (149)

South America:

Bolivia (76)

There will be an updated World Rankings later today but I don’t foresee any big changes so the pot 1 teams will be Iraq and DR Congo who are one game away from the World Cup.

Edit: I have just edited in the newly updated World Ranking positions

This looks like it's going to he a really interesting set of games - none of these teams have qualified in my living memory so we'll get some interesting qualifiers.

Jamaica will have the most fans able to make the trip, so that will give a leg up on the rest of the competition, though the Bolivian fans will also travel. That being said, this won't be a walk-over at all for Iraq/DRC.

Personally, I'd pull for Congo DR and Jamaica to qualify, Jamaica at the very least. It would be nice to see the 'Reggae Boyz' back in the World Cup.

Edited November 19, 2025Nov 19 by DJHazey

The draw for this has also been made today.

Path A:

Semi-Final:

New Caledonia v Jamaica

Final:

DR Congo v New Caledonia/Jamaica

Path B:

Semi Final:

Bolivia v Suriname

Final:

Iraq v Bolivia/Suriname

If we believe in home-field advantage, Jamaica and Bolivia have a chance to have more fans in attendance. This could be a factor. Hoping for Jamaica and Bolivia to qualify here.

Is Bolivia not the stadium with high altitude?

Both Bolivia and Ecuador (as well as Mexico City for Mexico) having the highest altitude at their home stadiums, so yes this will help in Guadalajara.