Overview
- England and France had already clinched in this window, while Croatia’s win over the Faroe Islands and Austria’s progression pushed UEFA’s automatic qualifiers to four.
- Europe will finalize its 12 group winners by Tuesday before a 16‑team playoff in March 2026 awards the confederation’s last four berths.
- Africa’s nine group winners are confirmed, and Nigeria face DR Congo on Nov. 16 to decide the continent’s inter‑confederation playoff representative.
- Asia’s eight direct qualifiers are set, with Iraq and the United Arab Emirates level 1-1 ahead of a Nov. 18 second leg to determine the region’s inter‑confederation playoff entrant.
- The six-team inter‑confederation playoffs are scheduled for March 2026, featuring Bolivia (CONMEBOL), New Caledonia (OFC), the CAF and AFC playoff winners, and two CONCACAF runners‑up, with reports indicating Mexican venues for the matches.