UEFA Announces 2026 World Cup Play-off Structure for European Teams

UEFA has announced the structure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs, with 16 European teams set to compete for four World Cup tickets. The play-offs will feature teams including Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, and others.

The format will see the best-ranked UEFA Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two of their qualifying groups drawn into four paths containing semi-finals and finals. The matches will be single-leg fixtures, adding to the drama and intensity as nations vie for a spot in the prestigious tournament.