Who can still qualify for the World Cup?

The final six spots at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be decided this month.

Four European nations have the chance to qualify via the play-offs, featuring one-legged semi-finals and then a final.

The semi-finals take place on Thursday, 26 March and the finals on Tuesday, 31 March.

The other two places will be decided via the intercontinental play-offs, which features six nations.

Semi-final: Italy v Northern Ireland

Semi-final: Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Final: Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina v Italy/Northern Ireland

Wales are aiming to make it to back-to-back men’s World Cups for the first time, but Bosnia-Herzegovina stand in their way.

Craig Bellamy’s side host the semi-final in Cardiff with the winners hosting the final five days later.

Northern Ireland, who are aiming to end a 40-year World Cup wait, have the tough task of facing an Italy team looking to qualify for their first World Cup since 2014.

Semi-final: Ukraine v Sweden

Semi-final: Poland v Albania

Final: Ukraine/Sweden v Poland/Albania

Ukraine came second in their qualifying group behind 2022 World Cup runners-up France and lose their home advantage against Sweden due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The semi-final will instead take place in Valencia, Spain.

Sweden finished bottom of their qualifying group, failing to win a match, but have a lifeline thanks to their Nations League performance.

Poland have qualified for the last two men’s World Cups and face an Albania side aiming to reach the finals for the first time.

Semi-final: Turkey v Romania

Semi-final: Slovakia v Kosovo

Final: Turkey/Romania v Slovakia/Kosovo

Turkey finished three points behind Spain in their World Cup group and now have to face a Romania side aiming to reach their first World Cup since 1998.

Slovakia have also not featured at a World Cup since 2010 and must beat Kosovo – a nation aiming to qualify for their first major tournament – to progress.

Semi-final: Denmark v North Macedonia

Semi-final: Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland

Final: Denmark/North Macedonia v Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland

Denmark missed out on automatically reaching the World Cup after a dramatic 4-2 defeat against Scotland in Glasgow.

The Danes had to settle for the play-offs and now have to face a North Macedonia side aiming to qualify for a first World Cup.

Troy Parrott’s last-gasp winner in Hungary secured an unlikely play-off for the Republic of Ireland. If they win in Prague, they would face a winner-takes-all final against either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin on 31 March.

Six nations from five different confederations have the final opportunity to book their spot at the World Cup via two pathways.

The four lowest-ranked participants – Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname – will meet in semi-finals on Thursday, 26 March.

The winners will face either DR Congo or Iraq in the finals.

Semi-final: New Caledonia v Jamaica

Final: New Caledonia/Jamaica v DR Congo

Oceania-based New Caledonia are aiming to reach their first World Cup and face a Jamaica side intent on qualifying for their first men’s tournament since 1998.

Former England manager Steve McClaren resigned after Jamaica were pipped to automatic qualifying by Curacao.

DR Congo, who appeared at the 1974 World Cup when they competed as Zaire, have a side featuring Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa, Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki and West Ham’s Aaron Wan Bissaka.

Semi-final: Bolivia v Suriname

Final: Bolivia/Suriname v Iraq

Bolivia have qualified for three World Cups, including the inaugural tournament in 1930, but have not made the big dance since 1994.

They face a Suriname side who are bidding to reach a first World Cup. World number 58 Iraq await them in the final.

Iraq made the finals in 1986, scoring once against Belgium, but now have a side containing Luton Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi and ex-Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal.

The winner of this path will enter the so-called ‘group of death’ alongside France, Senegal and Norway in Group I.