FIFA Announces New Playoff Format for Final 2026 World Cup Spots

FIFA has revealed a fresh playoff format to decide the last two teams heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico. With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams, this final qualification stage has been rebranded as an “international repechage” – a mini-tournament set to run from March 26 to 31, 2026.

A total of six teams will battle it out for the remaining two spots. These teams will come from:

• 2 from CONCACAF

• 1 from Africa

• 1 from South America

• 1 from Asia

• 1 from Oceania

So far, New Caledonia is the only confirmed team, having locked in the Oceania slot. The other five will be decided through continental qualifiers, with their FIFA rankings (as of November 2025) influencing the seeding.

Tournament Format:

The repechage will have four knockout games:

• Two semifinals: Featuring the four lowest-ranked teams

• Two finals: The top two ranked sides wait for the semifinal winners

All matches are single elimination, meaning no second legs – win or go home.

The draw takes place on December 4, which will also confirm the group stage line-ups for the main tournament.

Ranked 152nd, New Caledonia is expected to play in the first round. With high stakes and no room for error, this new format promises thrilling matchups and a dramatic finish to World Cup qualifying as we gear up for the first-ever 48-team World Cup.