FIFA has released the format and calendar of the qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup. This was reported by the International Football Federation, UNN reports.
Details
Qualification will be held in two formats, depending on the number of teams in groups.
Groups with five teams will start matches in March 2024. However, the matches of the first two rounds may be postponed to June for those teams participating in the Nations League playoffs.
Here are the key dates for the qualifiers:
- Round 1: March 21-22
- Round 2: March 24-25
- Round 3: June 6-7
- Round 4: June 9-10
- Round 5: September 4-6
- Round 6: September 7-9
- Round 7: October 9-11
- Round 8: October 12-14
- Round 9: November 13-15
- Round 10: November 16-18
Groups with four teams will start qualifying in September 2024. This format will allow the Nations League to be completed without calendar conflicts. Here are the main dates:
- Round 1: September 4-6
- Round 2: September 7-9
- Round 3: October 9-11
- Round 4: October 12-14
- Tour 5: November 13-15
- Round 6: November 16-18
The qualifying playoffs will be held in two rounds: semifinals and finals. The winners of each of the 12 groups will receive direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and the second-placed teams will take part in the playoffs along with the four winners of the Nations League.
- Semifinals: March 26, 2026
- Finals: March 31, 2026
This format allows us to determine the 48 participants of the upcoming World Cup.
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