Trump introduces ‘FIFA PASS’ to expedite 2026 World Cup visas
President Donald Trump announces “FIFA PASS” to fast track visa interviews for 2026 World Cup ticket holders visiting the U.S.
Europe accounts for one-third of the 48 teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with 12 sides already qualifying directly for the tournament in North America and four more spots up for grabs via UEFA’s qualification playoffs that will be held in March 2026.
The European playoffs will feature 16 teams in four pods, with two semifinals and a final in each bracket. The four winners qualify for the World Cup, while everyone else has to turn their attention towards qualification for 2030.
The 16 teams in the playoffs include 12 group runner-ups from the main round of UEFA qualifying, with the last four – Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland – advancing based on their standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League.
Here’s what to know about UEFA’s World Cup qualifying playoffs:
When is UEFA World Cup playoffs draw?
The draw for UEFA’s World Cup qualification playoffs is set for Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 a.m. ET.
When are the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoffs?
UEFA’s World Cup qualifying playoffs will be contested on March 26 (semifinals) and March 31 (finals).
What teams are in the UEFA playoffs?
- Pot 1
- Italy
- Denmark
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Pot 2
- Poland
- Wales
- Czech Republic
- Slovakia
- Pot 3
- Ireland
- Albania
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Kosovo
- Pot 4
- Romania
- Sweden
- North Macedonia
- Northern Ireland
What UEFA teams are qualified for the World Cup?
Twelve European countries have already clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- England
- France
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Scotland
- Spain
- Switzerland
