Overview
- Portugal secured its spot with a 9-1 win over Armenia and Norway clinched first place in its group, pushing Italy into the European playoff field.
- Sixteen places remain open for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will feature 12 groups of four and 104 total matches.
- Intercontinental playoff participants confirmed so far are New Caledonia (OFC), Bolivia (CONMEBOL) and DR Congo (CAF), with UAE vs. Iraq to decide the AFC slot and Jamaica and Panama currently tracking from Concacaf.
- Intercontinental playoffs will be played in Mexico between March 23 and 31, 2026, with Monterrey and Guadalajara confirmed as host cities.
- UEFA will allocate four berths via single-match semifinals on March 26 and finals on March 31, 2026, with the draw on November 20 and a field that includes Italy, Ireland, Ukraine, Albania, Czech Republic, Romania, Northern Ireland and Sweden.