With four World Cup spots up for grabs in Europe, the European Play-Offs are set to be a high-stakes showdown as teams fight to secure their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While play-offs are nothing new in European qualifying, the tournament’s expansion in 2026 has made these matches even more crucial.

Here’s everything you need to know:

How the European Play-Offs Work

A total of 16 nations will compete in the European Play-Offs:

12 group runners-up from the UEFA qualifying groups.

4 teams that ranked highest in the most recent UEFA Nations League but did not finish in the top two of their qualifying groups.

The 16 teams are divided into four pots:

Pots 1–3: Based on FIFA World Rankings.

Pot 4: Teams entering via the Nations League.

Each play-off path features four teams:

Pot 1 vs Pot 4

Pot 2 vs Pot 3

These semi-finals are single-legged matches, with the winners advancing to a one-off final. The Pot 1 and Pot 2 teams host the semi-finals, while the host for each final will be determined in the draw.

Which Nations Are in the European Play-Offs?

Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Pot 3: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo
Pot 4: Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland

When Are the European Play-Offs?

The playoffs will take place during the next international break in late March 2026:

Semi-finals: March 26th (all eight matches in the evening)

Finals: March 31st

On the same day as the finals, the losing semi-finalists will play friendly matches.

Matches are single-leg affairs, with extra time and penalties deciding a winner if scores are level after 90 minutes. Exact kick-off times will be confirmed after the draw.

When Is the Draw?

The European Play-Off draw will be held in Switzerland on November 20th, 2025, starting at 13:00 CET.

Shortly before the European draw, a separate draw for the FIFA intercontinental play-offs will take place, featuring six teams from outside Europe, with two securing the final World Cup spots.