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Mexico to Host March 2026 Intercontinental Playoff Mini-Tournament for Final World Cup Spots

The single-match, neutral-site format aims to cut travel burdens with seeding based on FIFA’s next ranking.

Overview

  • FIFA’s revamped repechage runs March 23–31, 2026 in Monterrey and Guadalajara, awarding two berths to the 48-team World Cup.
  • Six teams enter: two from CONCACAF and one each from CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF and OFC.
  • Two three-team brackets will be used, with the lower-ranked pair in each playing a semifinal and the winner meeting the top-ranked side for a place at the finals.
  • Bolivia and New Caledonia have already booked repechage spots; seeding will reflect the FIFA ranking update due Nov. 18, with the playoff draw scheduled Nov. 20 in Zurich.
  • UEFA will settle its last four places separately in March 2026 through a 16-team playoff with single-match semifinals on Mar. 26 and finals on Mar. 31.