Short answers, pulled from the story.
The twelve matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA second round take place on the 26th and the 31st of March 2026. Semi-finals occur on the 26th of March while final matches are scheduled for the 31st of March 2026.
The UEFA Executive Committee confirmed the play-off format during their meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, on the 28th of June 2023. The draw to determine the four play-off paths occurred on the 20th of November 2025 at 13:00 CET at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Sixteen teams from the UEFA segment of qualifying contest the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These matches determine the final four European teams that will join twelve group winners at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The draw to determine the four play-off paths took place at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. It occurred on the 20th of November 2025 at 13:00 CET with Melanie Winiger presenting the event while Manolo Zubiria conducted it as the tournament's U.S. chief officer.
A player automatically suspended for the next match receives a red card or two yellow cards in two different qualifying group stage matches. Yellow card suspensions carry forward to play-off semi-finals but not to play-off finals, World Cup final tournament, or any future international matches.