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Africa’s play-off winners will progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from 23-31 March 2026 and will decide the final two sides at next year’s World Cup.<\/p>\n
Two nations from the Concacaf (North, Central America and the Caribbean) region and one side from each of the Asian, Oceanian and South American confederations will also be involved.<\/p>\n
The six nations will be split into two brackets.<\/p>\n
The two highest-ranked sides will be seeded and advance directly to the final in each bracket, with the four lowest-ranked competitors meeting in semi-finals.<\/p>\n
The United Arab Emirates and Iraq will play off for Asia’s spot, while Bolivia, representing South America, and New Caledonia, representing Oceania, have already booked their places.<\/p>\n
Given Bolivia and New Caledonia are respectively ranked 76th and 150th in the world at present, that boosts the chances of Africa’s representative advancing directly to a final.<\/p>\n
The draw for the play-offs, which will be played in single-leg knockout matches, with extra-time and penalties if required, will be held on Thursday, 20 November.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n