Intercontinental Playoff Matchups for 2026 World Cup Confirmed

Thursday saw the intercontinental playoff semifinals for this summer's World Cup conclude, setting the stage for the two finals that will determine two more qualified teams for the North American tournament. These will join the four nations advancing from the European route.

• The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three countries: the USA, Mexico, and Canada. It will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the first tournament in history to feature 48 teams;

Iraq vs. Bolivia and DR Congo vs. Jamaica are the two intercontinental finals, following Thursday evening's results. Both clashes are scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, a date that will reveal all six nations securing the final tickets to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

On Thursday, the Bolivian national team defeated Suriname 2-1. Suriname initially took the lead through Van Gelderen in the 48th minute, but Bolivia mounted a comeback, securing the win with goals from Paniagua and Miguelito Tercero in the 72nd and 79th minutes, respectively.

For a spot in the final tournament, Bolivia will face Iraq, a team that previously eliminated Cosmin Olăroiu's United Arab Emirates.

In the second intercontinental playoff, Jamaica edged out New Caledonia 1-0, thanks to Cadamarteri's early goal in the 18th minute. For a place at the World Cup, Jamaica will compete against DR Congo on March 31.

European World Cup 2026 Playoff Finals:

• Kosovo - Turkey

• Sweden - Poland

• Bosnia - Italy

• Czech Republic - Denmark

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic/Denmark

• Group B: Canada, Bosnia/Italy, Qatar, Switzerland

• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

• Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Kosovo/Turkey

• Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden/Poland, Tunisia

• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

• Group I: France, Iraq/Bolivia, Senegal, Norway

• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

• Group K: Portugal, DR Congo/Jamaica, Uzbekistan, Colombia

• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama