World Cup 2026 format

The tournament uses 12 groups of 4. Top two from each group plus the 8 best third-place teams advance to the Round of 32.

Groups (12 x 4)

Each team plays 3 matches. Ranking follows standard points and tiebreakers (see rules page).

24 teams qualify directly (1st and 2nd). The 8 best third-place teams fill the remaining Round of 32 spots.

Pairings follow the Annex C style key based on the ordered list of best third-place teams. The simulator mirrors that mapping.

Summary of interconfederation play-offs (2 spots) and UEFA play-off paths (4 spots). Winners keep their placeholder names until finalized.

Interconfed Pathway 1 (Repechaje 1) → Group K

SF: New Caledonia vs Jamaica. Final: Congo DR vs winner SF. Winner = FIFA Play-Off Tournament winner 1 (Repechaje 1).

Interconfed Pathway 2 (Repechaje 2) → Group I

SF: Bolivia vs Suriname. Final: Iraq vs winner SF. Winner = FIFA Play-Off Tournament winner 2 (Repechaje 2).

UEFA play-offs (4 paths, 4 spots)

Path A (UEFA 1) → Group B
SF1: Italy vs Northern Ireland. SF2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. Final: winners meet; winner = UEFA 1.
Path B (UEFA 2) → Group F
SF3: Ukraine vs Sweden. SF4: Poland vs Albania. Final: winners meet; winner = UEFA 2.
Path C (UEFA 3) → Group D
SF5: Türkiye vs Romania. SF6: Slovakia vs Kosovo. Final: winners meet; winner = UEFA 3.
Path D (UEFA 4) → Group A
SF7: Denmark vs North Macedonia. SF8: Czechia vs Republic of Ireland. Final: winners meet; winner = UEFA 4.