The 2026 World Cup is approaching. From June 11 to July 19, 48 nations will compete for a historic edition, the first to host so many selections. This expanded format pushed FIFA to review its qualification system: 16 places for Europe (UEFA), 9 for Africa (CAF), 8 for Asia (AFC), 6 for North America (Concacaf), 6 for South America (Conmebol) and 1 for Oceania (OFC).
Two final tickets will be allocated via an intercontinental tournament bringing together six teams. In Africa, the play-offs begin this Thursday, November 13: Nigeria will face Gabon at 5 p.m., before the clash between Cameroon and DR Congo at 8 p.m. The winners will face each other in the final on Sunday, November 16 at 8 p.m.
The African champion of these play-offs will then participate in the intercontinental tournament scheduled for March 2026. There will be two teams from Concacaf, one from the AFC, one from CAF, one from Conmebol (Bolivia) and one from OFC (New Caledonia). Two tickets will then be distributed to complete the World Cup field.
What about Europe?
On the European side, the blockades will be carried out separately. They will bring together the twelve group runners-up as well as the four highest-ranked Nations League group winners. In total, 16 selections will try to win the last four tickets allocated to Europe.
Divided into four tables of four teams, they will face each other in direct elimination semi-finals and finals. And in all likelihood, Italy, in great difficulty in its group, will have to go, once again, through these play-offs to hope for qualification for the World Cup, Norway already being leader of group I, in a comfortable position, and presenting a real threat.
