FIFA have awarded World Cup spots through inter-confederation competitions for the better part of 60 years, and the 2026 World Cup has a larger, higher-profile pool of teams looking to lock up the tournament’s two final spots.
MORE — 2026 World Cup qualification hub
The first inter-confederations playoff saw Wales see off Israel over two games to reach the 1958 tournament. We can guarantee these final spots will look different, as Europe is the only confederation not putting teams into the playoffs.
How did it work this time, how many teams competed, where was it held, and who reached the 2026 World Cup through the inter-confederation playoffs?
Read on...
2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs: How did they work?
Six teams qualified for the inter-confederation playoffs: one from CONMEBOL (Bolivia), one from Oceania (New Caledonia), one from Asia (Iraq), one from Africa (DR Congo), and two from CONCACAF (Jamaica and Suriname).
The two highest FIFA-ranked teams will have byes to finals in Pathway 1 and Pathway 2, while the remaining four teams played semifinals ties to reach the final.
The winners of Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 were awarded the final spots in Pot 4 of the 2026 World Cup draw.
Iraq joined World Cup Group I with France, Senegal, and Norway.
Democratic Republic of Congo are set for World Cup Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.
When and where are the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs?
The games were played in Mexico at the homes of Chivas Guadalajara and Monterrey during the Marc 2026 international break.
Who participated in the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs?
Bolivia are representing CONMEBOL as South America’s sixth-ranked team from qualifying, while New Caledonia represented Oceania after reaching the OFC qualifying final only to lose to New Zealand.
Asia sent Iraq following a two-legged playoff win over UAE, while Africa sent the Democratic Republic of Congo after they beat Cameroon in the playoff semifinal and then Nigeria after penalty kicks in the final.
CONCACAF put forth their top two group runners-up out of three teams, with Jamaica and Suriname getting the spots.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq had byes to the final of each pathway, as the two top-ranked FIFA teams in the group.
2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs schedule, how to watch live, stream link, TV channel
TV channel/Stream: Telemundo Deportes (en Espanol)
Pathway 1
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Semifinal: New Caledonia 0-1 Jamaica in Zapopan
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 (aet) Jamaica in Zapopan
Pathway 2
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Semifinal: Bolivia 2-1 Suriname in Guadalupe
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Iraq 2-1 Bolivia in Guadalupe
