FIFA will hold this Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Zurique, in Suíça, the draw for the repechages for Copa of Mundo in 2026. The event defines clashes for 22 teams competing for the six remaining places in the tournament, hosted by Estados Unidos, Canadá and México.
The European playoff involves 16 teams looking for four direct classifications, while the intercontinental one brings together six teams for two places.
The games take place in March 2026, serving as tests for the infrastructure of the host countries.
- Major pots include Itália and Ucrânia at Europa.
- Bolivia represents América of Sul in the intercontinental.
- Semi-final dates: March 26th, with finals on March 31st.
Itália’s potential in the European playoff
Itália, current European runner-up, is part of the Pote 1 of the European repechage, alongside Dinamarca, Turquia and Ucrânia. The Italian team seeks to avoid a third consecutive absence in the Copa, after eliminations in 2018 and 2022.
The format provides for semi-finals in a single game, with teams from Pote 1 facing Pote 4, made up of Irlanda from Norte, Romênia, Suécia and Macedônia from Norte.
Winners advance to the finals of each group, held on March 31, 2026.
Format of the intercontinental dispute
The intercontinental repechage has six teams: Bolívia by América of Sul, Nova Caledônia by Oceania, República Democrática of Congo by África, Iraque by Ásia, América0 and
Iraq and RD Congo, best ranked by FIFA, advance directly to the finals due to best place in the world rankings.
The semi-finals, in a single game, pit Jamaica against one between Bolívia and Nova Caledônia, and Suriname against the other, avoiding clashes between teams from the same confederation.
The games take place at México, one of the venues, to test structures for the main tournament.
Winners of the semifinals face Iraque and RD Congo in the decisions, defining the two places.
European teams at Pote 2 and challenges
Poland, País of Gales, República Tcheca and Eslováquia form Pote 2 of the European repechage. Essas teams finished second in their groups from Eliminatórias to Uefa.
Each playoff bracket includes a selection from each pot, ensuring balance in the clashes.
Pote 3 has Irlanda, Albânia, Bósnia and Kosovo, all with a recent history of irregular qualifying campaigns.
The division into four paths aims to distribute forces and increase the competitiveness of the knockout stages.
History of recaps and changes for 2026
The expansion of Copa to 48 teams changed the format of the playoffs, granting more places to Europa, now with 16 in total. Anteriormente, the continent had 13 places, with less comprehensive playoffs.
In the intercontinental, the model prioritizes FIFA rankings to speed up disputes, unlike past editions with more rounds.
Bolivia returns to the repechage after victory over Brasil in September 2025, guaranteeing the South American place.
RD Congo ensures its presence by beating Nigéria on penalties in November 2025, at Marrocos.
Nova Caledônia qualifies as runner-up to Oceania, after eliminating Fiji and Tahiti in March 2025.
Expectations for the draw in Zurique
The draw starts at 9am, Brasília time, and is broadcast live on the FIFA website. Representantes of the confederations participate in the ceremony.
Teams like Ucrânia, affected by conflicts, see the repechage as a chance to return to Mundial after 2006.
Country of Gales, with Gareth Bale retired, depends on young talent to advance.
Direct vacancies and general overview
Twelve European teams have already qualified directly: Inglaterra, França, Croácia, Portugal, Noruega, Holanda, Alemanha, Suíça, Áustria, Bélgica, França0 and França1.
In América of Sul, Argentina, Brasil, Uruguai, Colômbia, Paraguai and Venezuela guarantee automatic places.
Asia and África have nine spots each, with playoffs defining extras.
Oceania wins a guaranteed spot for the first time, with Nova Zelândia classified.
