FIFA confirms draw procedure for 2026 World Cup play-offs

Albania and Kosovo are expected to learn today who their rivals will be on the path to the 2026 World Cup finals in the “USA-Canada-Mexico 2026” tournament.

The International Federation of Football (FIFA) will hold the draw at noon today to determine the semifinal pairings that will compete for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The draw will take place at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, CE Report quotes ATA.

Albania and Kosovo finished their qualifying matches in second place in their respective groups, securing a spot in the “play-off” stage—a first in the history of both national teams.

Both teams are in Pot 3 and have avoided facing each other. Potential rivals for Albania and Kosovo at this stage are the teams from Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. One of these four teams will be drawn against the Albanians, and another against the Kosovars.

Albania and Kosovo will play their first match away, in a single-leg format. Since teams from Pot 2 have higher coefficients, they are considered favorites in this round. If the match ends in a draw, it will go to extra time, and if there is still no winner, qualification will be decided by a penalty shootout.

The winners of this round will no longer play single-leg matches in the next round but will compete in two-legged ties (home and away). There will also be a draw to determine the host team, removing the advantage of the FIFA ranking.

The play-off semifinals will be held on March 26, 2026, and the finals on March 31, 2026.

Play-off Pot Draw:

• Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine

• Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia

• Pot 3: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo

• Pot 4: Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland