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FIFA World Cup 2026 Intercontinental Playoff: Teams, Schedule, Venues Revealed

Two iconic venues in Mexico will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 intercontinental playoff tournament, featuring six nations vying for the final two spots for the global showpiece. Here's all you need to know about the venues, teams, and schedule

Curaçao's Juninho Bacuna, center, fight for the ball against Jamaica's Ethan Pinnock, left, during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Kingston, Jamaica, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 AP Photo/Collin Reid
Summary
  • Iraq, DR Congo, Jamaica, Suriname, Bolivia, and New Caledonia, vie for two World Cup 2026 spots

  • Matches held in Mexico from March 23–31, 2026

  • Venues include Estadio BBVA and Estadio Akron

Mexican cities Guadalajara and Monterrey will host the intercontinental playoff tournament for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA announced Wednesday.

The tournament starts March 23 and will consist of six teams from five confederations fighting for two spots at next summer's World Cup being hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.

“These iconic stadiums are the perfect stages for what promises to be a thrilling event filled with passion, drama and excitement,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

The Guadalajara and Monterrey stadiums also will host World Cup matches. The six nations are Iraq, Congo, Jamaica, Suriname, Bolivia and New Caledonia. The draw will be held Thursday in Zurich, and the match schedule will follow.

In next year's World Cup, the Guadalajara stadium will host four group-stage matches while the Monterrey stadium will stage three group games and a round-of-32 match.

The other Mexican venue for the World Cup is the newly renovated Azteca stadium.

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