FIFA has announced the schedule for the playoff matches qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico following the draw held at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
The stadiums in Guadalajara and Monterrey will each host two matches as part of the playoff competition. Guadalajara will feature matches from Path One, which includes teams like New Caledonia, Jamaica, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while Monterrey will host matches from Path Two, featuring Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq.
The two semi-final matches will take place in both cities on Thursday, March 26, with the final matches for each path scheduled for Tuesday, March 31.
The global playoffs will be conducted in a knockout format, reflecting the excitement expected among the six teams competing for the last two spots to qualify for the first World Cup featuring 48 teams.
For fans wishing to attend the matches, tickets will be available through the website FIFA.com/tickets starting early next year.
This global playoff in Mexico represents an important phase in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, alongside the final draw scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025, at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the 76th FIFA Congress set for Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada.
The largest football event is expected to kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, amidst wide global anticipation.
