The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is now fewer than 80 days away, and the six remaining qualification slots will be filled during the international break. The final four European nations and two intercontinental qualifiers will emerge from the World Cup playoffs, taking place Thursday and Tuesday.
Can four-time world champions Italy avoid missing out on a third successive World Cup? Which European nation will take the final place in the USA’s group at the finals? Could tiny New Caledonia make it to the World Cup via the intercontinental playoffs?
With so much at stake for the 22 nations desperately attempting to claim one of the remaining berths, the pressure will be intense in this week’s semifinals. But who will come out on top to seal a place in the playoff finals on Tuesday?
New Caledonia vs Jamaica WC Playoff Semi Tonight
Intercontinental Playoffs
Pathway 1
Winner faces DR Congo in final, the winner of which enters World Cup Group K (Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia).
New Caledonia vs. Jamaica (Zapopan, Mexico): New Caledonia, a tiny archipelago in the South Pacific, would be the lowest-ranked nation to ever play at a World Cup—they are in 150th position—if they qualify. But they face Jamaica as heavy underdogs in Zapopan, with the Reggae Boyz able to call on several Europe-based players including Leon Bailey (Aston Villa), Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Leicester), Demarai Gray (Birmingham) and Bailey Cadamarteri (Wrexham).
Steve McClaren’s resignation as Jamaica’s coach after the failure to qualify automatically has left Rudolph Speid in charge on an interim basis, but their savvy and superior quality should give them a straightforward win.
Winner: Jamaica
Pathway 1 final: Jamaica vs. DR Congo (Zapopan): Prediction to follow on Monday.
Stay updated on all the latest Resultados Futbol Hoy from these crucial qualifiers and more. For comprehensive coverage of World Cup playoff results and predictions, visit Resultados Futbol Hoy.