2026 World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs: Teams, Format, Schedule & Bracket

Six nations from around the world get one final chance to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Two World Cup spots remain open through the inter-confederation playoffs. These teams will compete in Mexico during March 2026 in a dramatic single-elimination tournament.

This complete guide covers the tournament format, all six competing teams, the bracket structure, match venues and schedule.

You will learn everything about this crucial playoff that determines the final World Cup qualifiers.

What are the Inter-Confederation Playoffs?

The inter-confederation playoffs bring together teams from five different confederations for a global competition. Each confederation sends one representative except CONCACAF which sends two teams because they host the World Cup.

Six teams compete for two World Cup spots through single elimination matches. Teams play one game to advance or go home. No second chances exist in this high-stakes tournament.

Europe runs its own separate playoff system with 16 teams fighting for 4 spots. The inter-confederation playoffs include only non-European teams from Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania.

The tournament happens at two stadiums in Mexico. Both venues will also host World Cup matches in June and July 2026. FIFA uses this playoff as a test event to practice operations and logistics before the main tournament.

Also Check: Complete 2026 World Cup Playoffs overview

How the Inter-Confederation Playoff Format Works

The six teams split into two separate pathways. Each pathway contains three teams. Each pathway produces one World Cup qualifier for a total of two qualifiers.

FIFA ranks all six teams by their world rankings from November 19, 2025. The top two ranked teams get seeded directly to the finals. These seeded teams skip the semi-final round completely and wait for their opponents.

The other four teams must compete in semi-final matches first. Two semi-finals produce two winners. These winners advance to face the seeded teams in the final round.

Current Seeding:

• Seeded (Direct to Finals): Iraq, DR Congo
• Unseeded (Must Play Semi-Finals): Jamaica, Suriname, Bolivia, New Caledonia

The seeded teams hold massive advantages. They only need to win one match instead of two. They get extra rest while unseeded teams battle through semi-finals. They avoid injury risks and yellow card accumulation.

Jamaica and Suriname both represent CONCACAF. FIFA rules prevent them from meeting in the semi-finals. They will be drawn into different pathways to ensure regional diversity in both finals.

Tournament Structure:

Stage 1 – Semi-Finals:

• Two matches between four unseeded teams
• Winners advance to finals
• Losers eliminated

Stage 2 – Finals:

• Semi-final winners face seeded teams
• Two finals produce two World Cup qualifiers
• Losers miss the World Cup

World Cup 2026 Inter-Confederation Playoffs Bracket

The bracket splits into two pathways leading to separate finals.

Inter-Confederation Playoffs Qualified Teams

🇮🇶 Iraq (AFC – Asia)

• FIFA Rank: ~69
• Status: Seeded
• Last World Cup: 1986 (40 years ago)
• Qualification: Beat UAE 3-2 aggregate with 107th minute penalty

🇨🇩 DR Congo (CAF – Africa)

• FIFA Rank: ~62
• Status: Seeded
• Last World Cup: 1974 as Zaire (52 years ago)
• Qualification: Beat Nigeria on penalties in CAF playoff final

🇯🇲 Jamaica (CONCACAF – North America)

• FIFA Rank: ~61
• Status: Unseeded
• Last World Cup: 1998 (28 years ago)
• Qualification: Second-best CONCACAF runner-up

🇸🇷 Suriname (CONCACAF – North America)

• FIFA Rank: ~133
• Status: Unseeded
• Last World Cup: Never qualified
• Qualification: Best CONCACAF runner-up

🇧🇴 Bolivia (CONMEBOL – South America)

• FIFA Rank: ~85
• Status: Unseeded
• Last World Cup: 1994 (32 years ago)
• Qualification: Finished 7th in South American qualifying

🇳🇨 New Caledonia (OFC – Oceania)

• FIFA Rank: ~158
• Status: Unseeded
• Last World Cup: Never qualified
• Qualification: Lost OFC final to New Zealand 3-0

Inter-Confederation Playoff Match Venues in Mexico

Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)

This modern stadium opened in 2015 as home to Chivas Guadalajara. The venue holds 48,071 fans and features a covered roof over all seats. Two playoff matches will take place here.

Guadalajara ranks as Mexico’s second-largest city with over 5 million people. The city sits at 1,566 meters altitude. The stadium will host four World Cup group stage matches in June 2026.

Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)

Fans call this venue “The Steel Giant” because of its distinctive metal exterior. The stadium opened in 2015 and holds 53,500 fans. CF Monterrey plays home matches here.

Monterrey is Mexico’s third-largest city and sits at 540 meters altitude. The design brings fans very close to the pitch. The stadium will host three group stage matches and one Round of 32 match during the World Cup.

Both stadiums meet FIFA’s highest standards. They feature natural grass, modern facilities and excellent sightlines. The playoff serves as a crucial test event before the World Cup begins.

2026 Inter-Confederation Playoff Complete Schedule

Key Dates

March 26-27, 2026
Semi-final matches take place. Two games determine which unseeded teams advance to finals. Exact dates announced after the draw.

March 30-31, 2026
Final matches decide the two World Cup qualifiers. Winners celebrate. Losers face elimination and heartbreak.

June 11, 2026
World Cup begins in Mexico City. Playoff winners will know their group opponents by then.

Match Schedule Table

Kickoff times will be announced after the draw. Matches likely happen during evening hours Mexico time to maximize global television audiences.

Playoff Match Rules and Regulations

Single Elimination Format

Each match uses knockout format. Teams must win to advance. Losers face immediate elimination. No two-legged series exist.

Extra Time and Penalties

Matches tied after 90 minutes go to 30 minutes of extra time. Teams play two 15-minute periods. Teams get one additional substitution during extra time for a total of six substitutions.

Matches still tied after extra time go to penalty shootouts. Five players from each team take penalties. Sudden death continues if teams remain level after five rounds.

VAR and Technology

Video assistant referee (VAR) technology reviews goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity. Goal-line technology confirms if the ball crossed the line. Referees can review decisions on pitchside monitors.

Player Eligibility

Yellow cards from qualifying carry over to semi-finals. Cards reset before the finals. Red cards result in suspensions. Teams can name 23 players in match squads with five substitutions in regular time.

Inter-Confederation Playoffs 6 Teams Quick Preview

Iraq (Seeded) brings strong defensive organization and momentum from their dramatic qualifying win. They only need one victory. The 40-year World Cup absence drives intense motivation.

DR Congo (Seeded) showed mental strength by beating Nigeria on penalties. They defeated two African powerhouses to reach this stage. One win sends them to their first World Cup since 1974.

Jamaica has the best chance among unseeded teams. Many players compete in European leagues. Their 1998 World Cup experience helps in pressure situations. They must win twice but possess the quality.

Suriname makes history by reaching the playoffs. The small nation faces long odds but carries no pressure. Every match represents a bonus. Their journey inspires regardless of results.

Bolivia brings South American quality but struggled in qualifying. They played against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The lack of altitude advantage hurts their chances at sea level.

New Caledonia ranks lowest at 158th globally. They face extreme odds against stronger opposition. Their presence alone represents a historic achievement for Oceania football.

Predictions and Favorites

Iraq and DR Congo start as clear favorites because they only need one win. Both teams showed strong form in qualifying. Iraq won dramatically with a last-minute penalty. DR Congo beat Nigeria in a shootout.

Jamaica leads the unseeded challengers with a FIFA ranking near 61. Many Jamaican players compete professionally in Europe. Their World Cup experience from 1998 matters in high-pressure matches. Two good performances send them back to the tournament.

Bolivia brings South American pedigree but their qualifying form raises concerns. They struggled against top teams. The absence of altitude advantage in Mexico hurts their traditional strength.

Suriname and New Caledonia face very long odds. Suriname ranks 133rd while New Caledonia sits at 158th. Both teams would need miracles to qualify. Their presence represents achievements regardless of results.

The November 20 draw heavily influences outcomes. Jamaica wants to avoid Bolivia in the semi-finals. New Caledonia hopes for the most favorable matchup possible.

Qualification Probability:

• Iraq: 70%
• DR Congo: 65%
• Jamaica: 35%
• Bolivia: 20%
• Suriname: 10%
• New Caledonia: 5%

How to Watch the Inter-Confederation Playoffs Games?

Fox Sports broadcasts all playoff matches in the United States with English commentary. Telemundo provides Spanish language coverage. Both networks show every match live. Peacock streaming service carries all games but requires a paid subscription.

BBC and ITV hold broadcast rights in the United Kingdom. Both channels show playoff matches on free television. BBC iPlayer and ITVX stream games online for viewers with a TV license.

FIFA assigns broadcast rights differently by country and region. Check your local sports channels for coverage information. Most nations provide extensive coverage of World Cup qualifying matches. Many countries offer free-to-air television broadcasts.

FIFA+ streaming platform may carry select playoff matches. Check the service closer to March 2026 for availability in your region. FIFA.com posts live updates, scores and highlights during games. Social media accounts provide instant match updates throughout each game.

Six nations prepare for the most important matches of their football history. Two World Cup spots await in Mexico through four dramatic matches.

Iraq and DR Congo hold seeded advantages while Jamaica leads the unseeded challengers. March 2026 will produce both celebration and heartbreak as dreams hang in the balance.