As the world eagerly anticipates the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026, Mexico is preparing to host one of the tournament’s most dramatic prelude events: the Play-Offs Tournament.
Six nations will converge on the country for a high-stakes, single-leg knockout competition, with only two final spots available for next year’s global spectacle.
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Following the draw at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, the match schedule has now been confirmed. The tournament will showcase nations from across the globe, each seeking the elusive ticket to football’s biggest stage. With every match being a knockout, there is no room for error—one defeat, and a team’s World Cup dream ends before it begins.
Guadalajara and Monterrey will become the battlegrounds for these decisive clashes. Guadalajara will host Play-off Pathway 1, featuring New Caledonia, Jamaica, and Congo DR, while Monterrey will stage Play-off Pathway 2, which includes Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq. Both cities will host two matches each: semi-finals on Thursday, 26 March 2026, and finals on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
For fans, this tournament is not just about the football—it’s a chance to witness history as nations vie for a spot in the first World Cup expanded to 48 teams. Tickets will be available via FIFA website with details expected to be released early 2026.
The Play-Off Tournament is part of a broader build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026
, alongside other key events such as the Final Draw in Washington DC on 5 December 2025 and the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on 30 April 2026. The tournament itself will kick off at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, 11 June 2026, promising a summer of football spectacle.
With every match a winner-takes-all showdown, Mexico is set to host an unforgettable prelude to football’s most anticipated event, offering fans drama, passion, and the excitement of nations chasing World Cup glory.
Host Cities & Venues
- Guadalajara Stadium – Play-off Pathway 1: New Caledonia, Jamaica, Congo DR
- Monterrey Stadium – Play-off Pathway 2: Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq
Fixtures & Dates
Play-off Pathway 1 – Guadalajara
- Semi-final: Thursday, 26 March 2026
- Match: New Caledonia vs Jamaica / Congo DR (as determined by draw)
- Final: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
- Winner secures a spot at FIFA World Cup 2026
- Winner secures a spot at FIFA World Cup 2026
Play-off Pathway 2 – Monterrey
- Semi-final: Thursday, 26 March 2026
- Match: Bolivia vs Suriname / Iraq (as determined by draw)
- Final: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
- Winner secures a spot at FIFA World Cup 2026
- Winner secures a spot at FIFA World Cup 2026
Ticket Information
Tickets will be available via FIFA website with release expected early 2026. Fans should act fast, as the single-leg knockout format ensures every match is a must-watch event.
Key Build-Up Events
- Final Draw: Friday, 5 December 2025, Washington DC
- 76th FIFA Congress: Thursday, 30 April 2026, Vancouver, Canada
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Kick-Off: Thursday, 11 June 2026, Mexico City Stadium.
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