This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. With almost all spots already allocated, access to the 2026 World Cup now enters its decisive phase. Starting Thursday, the European and international playoffs will determine the last six teams that will join the tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer. This decision is set for next week, through two distinct playoffs, which will qualify four more nations from Europe and two from the rest of the world. In Europe, 16 teams will take the field with a single goal: to secure one of the four remaining tickets. The format is simple – four distinct paths, each with semi-finals and a final, all knockout matches. Only the winners will advance to the World Cup. The matchups are defined: Path A: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina / Italy vs Northern Ireland Path B: Ukraine vs Sweden / Poland vs Albania Path C: Slovakia vs Kosovo / Turkey vs Romania Path D: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland / Denmark vs North Macedonia The semi-finals will take place next Thursday, with the decisive matches scheduled for Tuesday, March 31. Outside of Europe, six teams will compete for the last two spots in mini-tournaments held in Mexico, in Guadalajara and Monterrey. Thanks to their ranking positions, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq are already in the finals of their respective paths and await their opponents. The matchups are as follows: Path 1: New Caledonia vs Jamaica (winner faces DR Congo) Path 2: Bolivia vs Suriname (winner faces Iraq) This playoff is particularly significant for Portugal, as the winner of Path 1 will be placed in the national team's group at the World Cup, where Uzbekistan and Colombia are already present. The semi-final matches are scheduled for the night/morning of Thursday to Friday. The finals will be held on the night/morning of March 31 to April 1. With single-elimination matches and minimal margin for error, the coming days promise intense emotions in the race for the biggest stage in world football.
Teams Compete Last Six Spots remains central to this story.
Teams Compete Last Six Spots remains central to this story.
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