When is 2026 World Cup play-off draw? Date, begin time, confirmed groups and the right way to watch

The 2026 World Cup qualification course of is nearing its conclusion, however some locations are but to be determined.

In recent times, the World Cup line-up would have already been full. Nevertheless, as this event would be the first to incorporate 48 groups, it means 9 extra groups can qualify.

In the meantime, Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will probably be making their World Cup debuts.

For the groups that fail to high their qualifying group – and even some that missed out on a high two end – the play-offs present one last likelihood to maintain the World Cup dream alive.

Right here’s the whole lot you want to know concerning the World Cup play-off draw…

The 2026 World Cup play-off draw is scheduled for 12pm GMT begin time on Thursday November 20, 2025.

The draw will happen on the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

TV channel: Within the UK, the draw is not going to be televised dwell on TV.

Stay stream: The BBC Sport web site and app will supply a dwell stream service.

Stay weblog: You possibly can observe all of the motion through Normal Sport’s dwell weblog!

There are two separate World Cup play-offs: The UEFA play-offs and the FIFA inter-confederation play-offs.

Each units of play-offs will probably be held in March 2026. Whereas the precise dates for the inter-confederation play-offs are nonetheless to be confirmed, the UEFA play-offs start with the semi-finals on March 26 and conclude with the finals on March 31.

The UEFA play-offs will probably be performed in single-leg knockout matches, with the draw figuring out the trail.

The 16 groups will probably be drawn into 4 units of 4, leaving every nation two wins away from the World Cup as semi-finals after which a last are performed.

Pot A to Pot C will probably be decided primarily based on FIFA World Rankings. Pot D will function the 4 groups who certified through the Nations League.

The inter-confederation play-offs will probably be see the underside 4 groups within the FIFA rankings drawn into two single-elimination matches. The winners of these matches will advance to play the highest two groups in two single-elimination matches, and the winners will qualify for the World Cup.

They’re joined by Romania, Sweden and Northern Eire as three of the 4 best-ranked groups from the earlier Nations League marketing campaign who failed to complete within the high two through the group section.

The 2026 World Cup draw will happen within the US capital of Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5, 2025. It would start at 5pm GMT on the Kennedy Middle.