2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA second round
Sixteen teams from the UEFA segment of qualifying will contest the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This stage is also known as the UEFA play-offs or European play-offs. 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. Twelve runners-up from the first round groups participate alongside four teams based on the 2024, 25 UEFA Nations League interim overall ranking. Teams were divided into four paths, each containing four teams. Each path features two single-leg semi-finals and one single-leg final. The twelve matches take place on 26 and the 31st of March 2026.
The play-off format was confirmed by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, on the 28th of June 2023. Participants depended partly on results from the 2024, 25 UEFA Nations League, though to a lesser degree than play-offs of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying tournament. The twelve runners-up from the first round joined four Nations League group winners that finished outside the top two of their qualifying group. Selection relied on the 2024, 25 UEFA Nations League interim overall ranking. If fewer than four Nations League group winners had been selected, remaining spots allocated to best-ranked remaining teams finishing outside the top two. At the start of qualifying, specific teams held potential to receive a play-off spot in a given order. Group A contained teams ranked 1, 2, 3, and 4. Group B included teams ranked 17, 18, 19, and 20. Group C listed teams ranked 33, 34, 35, and 36. Group D featured teams ranked 49, 50, and others.
The draw to determine the four play-off paths occurred on the 20th of November 2025 at 13:00 CET. It took place at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Sixteen teams advancing from the first round divided into four pots of four teams each. Twelve group runners-up allocated to Pots 1 to 3 based on the FIFA Men's World Ranking of November 2025. Four teams advancing via the Nations League automatically placed into Pot 4. Melanie Winiger presented the draw while Manolo Zubiria conducted it as the tournament's U.S. chief officer. Former players Marco Materazzi and Martin Dahlin acted as assistants. The Pot 1 teams were allocated to semi-finals 1, 3, 5 and 7 as host teams. Pot 2 teams assigned to semi-finals 2, 4, 6 and 8 as hosts. Pot 3 teams allocated to semi-finals 2, 4, 6 and 8 as away teams. Pot 4 teams allocated to semi-finals 1, 3, 5 and 7 as away teams. No restrictions applied since no prohibited clashes could occur for political reasons.
Semi-finals take place on the 26th of March and final matches on the 31st of March 2026. Kick-off times confirmed on the 20th of November 2025 following the draw. Semi-final and potential final hosts must confirm venues by the 19th of December 2025. UEFA scheduling requires losing semi-finalists of each path play a friendly match against each other on the day of the play-off finals. Times listed in CET/CEST with local times shown in parentheses if different. Path A includes semi-finals and a final. Path B contains its own bracket structure. Path C follows the same format. Path D completes the four paths. Each path features two single-leg semi-finals followed by one single-leg final. The winner of each path final qualifies for the World Cup.
A player automatically suspended for the next match receives a red card or two yellow cards in two different qualifying group stage matches. Red card suspensions may extend for serious offences. 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. Yellow cards received during qualifying group stage expire prior to the UEFA play-offs. Suspensions accumulated at end of qualifying group stage still carry forward to play-off semi-finals. Joachim Andersen faces suspension versus Scotland on the 5th of September 2025 and again versus North Macedonia on the 26th of March 2026. Rasmus Kristensen suspended versus Scotland on the 18th of November 2025 and versus North Macedonia on the 26th of March 2026. Tihomir Kostadinov serves time against Belgium on the 10th of October 2025 and Wales on the 18th of November 2025 before facing Denmark on the 26th of March 2026. Nicola Zalewski suspended versus Finland on the 10th of June 2025 and Malta on the 17th of November 2025 before playing Albania on the 26th of March 2026.
Common questions
When do the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA second round matches take place?
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.
Who confirmed the play-off format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA second round?
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.
How many teams participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA second round?
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.
Where does the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA second round draw take place?
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.
What are the suspension rules for players in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA second round?
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.