The 2026 FIFA World Cup field is now complete. All 48 nations heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer were confirmed after the final round of playoffs concluded at the end of March, with the last six spots settled across two separate processes. For those already looking ahead to the group stage, the FIFA World Cup match odds reflect just how much the playoff results have shaped the draw.
Four European sides came through UEFA’s single-leg knockout rounds, while one African nation and one Asian side claimed the remaining places at the intercontinental playoff tournament in Mexico. The routes were rarely straightforward, and several of the continent’s most established footballing nations did not make it through.
Here is how the six teams who did got there.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia’s route to the World Cup came via one of the most dramatic results of the entire playoff window. After beating Wales on penalties in the semifinal, they faced Italy in Zenica, knowing a win would condemn the four-time world champions to a third consecutive absence from the tournament. That is exactly what happened. Edin Dzeko’s equaliser forced a shootout, Italy missed twice from the spot, and Bosnia were through. They go into Group B alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland.
Sweden
Sweden’s path was built on Viktor Gyokeres. The Arsenal striker scored a hat-trick against Ukraine in the semifinal and then grabbed the winner against Poland in the final, a 3-2 thriller in Stockholm that was settled two minutes from time. It ends a wait stretching back to 2018, when Sweden reached the quarter-finals in Russia. Graham Potter’s side will face the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia in Group F.
Czechia
Czechia overturned a 2-0 deficit against the Republic of Ireland in their semifinal before beating Denmark in a penalty shootout in the final, after the teams could not be separated across 120 minutes in a game that ended 2-2. Denmark missed three of their four spot kicks, while Czechia scored three, sending them through with a 3-1 spot-kick victory. Czechia join Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea in Group A in their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
Turkey
A 24-year wait is over for Turkey. They beat Romania in the semifinal before edging past Kosovo 1-0 in Pristina in the final, Kerem Akturkoglu’s second-half strike proving the difference in a tight, tense contest. Kosovo pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages but could not find one. Turkey, who finished third at the 2002 World Cup, now face the United States, Paraguay, and Australia in Group D.
DR Congo
DR Congo entered the intercontinental playoff in Mexico as one of the two seeded teams, going straight into the final against Jamaica. The match went to extra time before Axel Tuanzebe tapped home from a corner in the 100th minute. It was a hard-fought win for a squad with serious European pedigree, and they now face a testing Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
Iraq
Iraq’s place at the World Cup is one of the more remarkable stories of the entire qualifying cycle. The squad faced logistical difficulties in the build-up, with regional conflict and visa complications making travel to Mexico far from straightforward. On the pitch, they beat Bolivia 2-1 in the final to end a 40-year absence from the tournament. They will need to be at their best in Group I, where France, Senegal, and Norway await.
