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Afolabi Ezekiel - November 20, 2025
The road to the 2026 World Cup is almost complete, but two places are still waiting to be claimed through the World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs. Those final tickets will be decided in this stage, a stage that always delivers tension, surprises, and the kind of moments fans talk about for years.
Six nations from around the world are heading to Mexico this March for one last chance to join the tournament through the World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs. Iraq, Bolivia, DR Congo, Jamaica, Suriname, and New Caledonia have all survived long, difficult qualifying paths. Now everything comes down to one short window and a few high-pressure matches.
Each team earned its way here in a different way. Iraq emerged from Asia’s qualifying battles, Bolivia survived the tough South American route, DR Congo fought through Africa’s playoff rounds, Jamaica and Suriname claimed the CONCACAF spots, while New Caledonia finished just behind New Zealand in Oceania. These varied paths illustrate the diversity present in the World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
It is a mix that brings together teams with very different histories and expectations. Some nations have been to World Cups before. Others have rarely come this close. But at this stage, everyone’s dream is the same—qualification through the intense Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
The format is straightforward, but there is absolutely no room for error in the World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
FIFA splits the six teams into two pathways. In each pathway, two lower ranked teams play a semifinal. The winner of that game then faces the highest ranked team in a final. The winners of the two finals qualify for the World Cup.
Because of the latest FIFA rankings, DR Congo and Iraq start directly in the pathway finals. They get to wait and see who survives the first round. Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname, and New Caledonia have to fight their way through the semifinals before they even get a chance at the top seeds, all in the context of the Inter-Confederation rounds.
Every match is a single knockout game. Win and you move on. Lose and your World Cup dream ends on the spot.
The rankings give a good idea of the challenge. DR Congo sits at 56 in the world and Iraq is close behind. Those two are seen as the strongest teams in the field. After them come Jamaica at 70 and Bolivia at 76. Suriname and New Caledonia sit much lower, which makes their road even tougher.
But rankings only tell part of the story. These games are played on neutral ground, in unfamiliar settings, and under huge pressure. A single mistake or a single moment of brilliance in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs can change everything.
Rankings Snapshot
| Team | FIFA Rank | Status in Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | 56 | Direct to final |
| Iraq | ~60 | Direct to final |
| Jamaica | 70 | Semifinal |
| Bolivia | 76 | Semifinal |
| Suriname | 100+ | Semifinal |
| New Caledonia | 150+ | Semifinal |
All matches will be played in Mexico, using two stadiums that will also be part of the 2026 World Cup:
* Estadio de Monterrey
* Estadio de Guadalajara
The schedule is set for the March international break:
* Semifinals: March 23
* Finals: March 31
In just eight days, the entire picture of the World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs will become clear.
For some of these teams, simply reaching this stage is an achievement. For others, missing out would feel like a huge disappointment. That mix of pressure and opportunity is what makes the Inter-Confederation battles for World Cup qualification so compelling.
Bolivia is chasing a long-awaited return. Iraq and DR Congo want to prove they belong among the best. Jamaica and Suriname hope to bring Caribbean football back to the world stage. New Caledonia arrives with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Six teams will step into Mexico with hope. Only two will leave as World Cup qualifiers, decided through the Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
