With 28 teams already qualified for the 48‑team event in the United States, Canada and Mexico, this window is expected to decide many of the remaining places. Europe: Only England has secured a spot so far, and France, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia can clinch with one win as other leaders line up for UEFA playoffs. Africa: Rabat hosts single‑match semifinals on Nov 13 (Nigeria vs Gabon, Cameroon vs DR Congo) and a Nov 16 final to determine the continent’s intercontinental playoff representative. Asia: United Arab Emirates and Iraq play a two‑leg tie on Nov 13 in Abu Dhabi and Nov 18 in Basrah to decide the confederation’s intercontinental playoff entrant, with eight Asian teams already qualified. CONCACAF: Matchdays on Nov 13 and 18 will produce three direct qualifiers and two intercontinental playoff berths, with the March 23–31, 2026 global playoff to include confirmed entrants Bolivia and New Caledonia.
