The play-offs will take place in two rounds between October and December 2026.

In the first round, 32 teams will enter and be split across two paths – Path 1 and Path 2.

In Path 1, teams who finished second and third in League A will play against the sides who reached the play-offs from League C. They will play in a two-legged match in October, with the winner reaching the second round.

In Path 2, the bottom-placed sides from League A and the top League B winners will go up against the second and third place teams from League B. Like Path 1, they will play in two-legged matches in October for a place in the second round.

In the second round, taking place across November and December, Path 1 winners will face Path 2 winners in two-legged matches. The winners will qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Another nation that does not qualify directly for the tournament will earn a spot into the inter-confederation play-offs, where they will get a final chance to qualify for the World Cup.

Path 1

Path 2