The final stage of the UEFA qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is already underway. Teams like France, Spain, England, and Germany have already secured their place, but the European playoffs promise pure drama. Sixteen national teams will be fighting for just 4 spots in direct elimination matches where there is no room for error. The European qualifying matches will be played in the last two weeks of March 2026 in a format of single-match semifinals and a final. The first legs will take place this Thursday, March 26: Turkey vs Romania; Ukraine vs Sweden; Poland vs Albania; Czech Republic vs Ireland; Italy vs Northern Ireland; Denmark vs North Macedonia; Slovakia vs Kosovo; and Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
