European nations contesting playoffs to secure World Cup spots is nothing new, but with football's biggest tournament getting even bigger in 2026, so too are those playoffs.
So, when are they, how do they work, and who's playing in them? We have all the answers for you right here.
How do the European Play-Offs work?
16 nations have qualified for the European Play-Offs, the 12 runners-up of the qualifying groups and the four teams highest ranked in the most recent edition of the Nations League who failed to finish in the top two of those groups.
The nations will be split into four pots, with the first three pots based on the FIFA World Rankings and the fourth consisting of those to enter via the Nations League. One team from each pot will then be placed in one of four paths.
In each of those paths, the team from Pot 1 will face the team from Pot 4 and the team from Pot 2 will face the team from Pot 3 in single-legged semi-finals, and the winners of those matches will then meet in a final.
The Pot 1 and Pot 2 nations will host the semis, while the draw will determine who host the finals.
Which nations are in the European Play-Offs?
Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine,
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Pot 3: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo
Pot 4: Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland
When are the European Play-Offs?
The playoffs will take place during the next international break on this season's calendar, in late March.
All eight of the semi-finals will be played on the evening of March 26th, and the four finals will then be played on March 31st. On the same day of the finals, the losing semi-finalists will face each other in friendlies.
There will be no return legs, with each match going to extra-time and a penalty shootout if necessary, should the scores be level after 90 minutes.
The times of each match will be confirmed after the draw.
When is the draw for the European Play-Offs?
The draw for the European Play-Offs will be held in Switzerland on November 20th, in an event beginning at 13:00 CET.
Shortly before the European nations are drawn, there will be a separate draw for the FIFA Play-Off tournament, the intercontinental playoffs consisting of six sides from outside of Europe, two of whom will qualify for the World Cup.