This week it will be revealed which teams will secure the final spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Four European teams and two teams from the intercontinental playoffs will compete for six tickets to the tournament, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Italian team, four-time world champions, will face Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the European playoff. If the Italians win, they will advance to the decisive match, where their opponents will be Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso noted that the team feels significant pressure as they missed the last two World Cups.
Meanwhile, several smaller national teams also have a chance for a historic debut. New Caledonia and Suriname are close to qualifying for the World Cup. New Caledonia will play against Jamaica, while Suriname will battle Bolivia. The winners of these matches will continue to fight for the two remaining spots in the tournament against the DR Congo and Iraq. This stage is crucial for the final formation of the participants and possible unexpected events.
The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 at the famous "Azteca" stadium in Mexico City and conclude on July 19 at "MetLife Stadium" in New Jersey. The host countries of the tournament - the USA, Canada, and Mexico - have already qualified, along with leading teams in world football: Brazil, Argentina, England, France, and Japan. The upcoming playoff matches will conclude the long qualification process and name all 48 national teams that will compete for the world's top trophy.
