World Cup Qualification: Bracket Results & Pairings

2026 world Cup Playoff Draw Set for Thursday: Bolivia Among Teams Vying for Final Spots

The path to the 2026 World Cup is nearing its final stages, and this Thursday, November 20, the draw for the intercontinental playoffs will determine which nations will compete for the last remaining qualifying berths. The event, taking place in Zurich, Switzerland, will reveal Bolivia’s opponent as they pursue a place in the expanded 48-team tournament. Fans can follow live updates from RPP.pe as the drama unfolds.

A New Format for 2026 Qualification

FIFA has implemented a revised format for the intercontinental playoffs leading up to the 2026 World Cup. This new system will see six teams from five confederations battling through a mini-tournament – consisting of semifinals and a final – to secure two coveted spots in the global competition.

Who is Competing for a World Cup Berth?

The teams vying for qualification through the intercontinental playoffs include: Bolivia representing Conmebol, Jamaica and Suriname from Concacaf, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from CAF, Iraq from the AFC, and New Caledonia representing the OFC. According to FIFA rankings, the teams from Africa and Asia will await their opponents, while the remaining teams will participate in the initial semifinal round.

Did you know?– The 2026 World cup will be the first tournament with 48 teams, an increase from the customary 32. This expansion creates more opportunities for nations to qualify.

Draw Details: When and Where to Watch

the draw is scheduled to begin at 7:00 am Peruvian time on Thursday, November 20, in Zurich, Switzerland. Here’s a breakdown of start times for fans across various locations:

• Peru: 7:00 am
• Jamaica: 7:00 am
• Bolivia: 8:00 am
• Suriname: 9:00 am
• DR congo: 1:00 pm
• Iraq: 3:00 pm
• New Caledonia: 11:00 pm
• Colombia, Ecuador: 7:00 am
• Venezuela: 8:00 am
• Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay: 9:00 am
• Mexico: 6:00 am
• United States (Washington D.C.): 7:00 am

Viewers can watch the draw live on television via dsports and through streaming on DGO. Minute-by-minute coverage will also be available on RPP.pe.

Pro tip:– The FIFA rankings are crucial for determining the playoff paths. Higher-ranked teams get a direct route to the final, avoiding the semifinal round.

Playoff Structure: Ranking Determines Path

The format dictates that teams will be seeded based on the latest FIFA rankings. The highest-ranked teams will advance directly to the final, while the lower-ranked teams will compete in the semifinals. Currently, jamaica (ranked 70), Bolivia (76), Suriname (123), and New Caledonia (149) will enter the competition in the semifinal stage. DRC (56) and Iraq (58) will await the winners of those matches in the final round.

Reader question:– Could a team from Concacaf potentially face another Concacaf nation in the intercontinental playoffs?

As the draw approaches, anticipation builds for these six nati