UEFA reported on Wednesday that it will recommend FIFA use a qualifying format for 16 European teams for the 2026 World Cup divided into a group stage and play-offs.
This was agreed by the UEFA Executive Committee, which explained that the group stage will have a traditional format with double-round matches. There will be 12 groups of 4 or 5 teams and the matches will be played between March and November 2025.
The first in each group qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Meanwhile, 12 seconds will participate in the playoffs, which will be held in March 2026 with 16 teams.
The 16 playoff selections
In addition to the 12 runner-up European Qualifiers groups, the top four winners of the 2024/2025 Nations League who have not finished their European Qualifiers group in first or second place will be selected.
Playoff matches will be played in single-match semifinals, followed by single-match finals within the same international match window.
The 16 teams that will participate in these playoffs will be divided into four playoff routes of four teams each.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
