{"id":894769,"date":"2026-03-27T05:19:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/27\/fifa-world-cup-2026-mls-guide-to-marchs-last-chance-qualifiers-mlssoccer-com\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T05:19:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:19:03","slug":"fifa-world-cup-2026-mls-guide-to-marchs-last-chance-qualifiers-mlssoccer-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/27\/fifa-world-cup-2026-mls-guide-to-marchs-last-chance-qualifiers-mlssoccer-com\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup 2026: MLS guide to March&#8217;s last-chance qualifiers | MLSSoccer.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n<p>  <main role=\"main\" id=\"main-content\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Page main content\"><\/p>\n<div data-bucket-name=\"main-content-before-middle-adv\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>The final spots at the 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\/2025\/\">FIFA World Cup<\/a> will be decided during the March international window, determining which six nations complete this summer&#8217;s 48-team field.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>The remaining berths are determined via the Intercontinental Playoffs (two spots) and UEFA Playoffs (four spots). Semifinals will be played on March 26, followed by the finals on March 31.<\/p>\n<p>These last-chance qualifiers will feature nine MLS players spanning eight countries and eight clubs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The groups are locked in for the 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FIFAWorldCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FIFAWorldCup<\/a>. \ud83d\udd12 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iVNQwmdsP0\">pic.twitter.com\/iVNQwmdsP0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLS\/status\/1997022519547588654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3><strong>Intercontinental Playoffs: MLS players<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Three MLS players will feature in this pathway, which grants two tickets to the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bolivia<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/efrain-morales\/\">Efra\u00edn Morales<\/a>: CF Montr\u00e9al, Defender<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><strong>Jamaica<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/andre-blake\/\">Andre Blake<\/a>: Philadelphia Union, Goalkeeper<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/ian-fray\/\">Ian Fray<\/a>: Inter Miami CF, Defender<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5U34LzUJJ8?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"Andre Blake RIDICULOUS SAVE on 60 YARD SHOT!! | 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3><strong>UEFA Playoffs: MLS players<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Six MLS players will feature in this pathway, which provides four spots at the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Albania<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/myrto-uzuni\/\">Myrto Uzuni<\/a>: Austin FC, Forward<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><strong>Czechia<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/pavel-bucha\/\">Pavel Bucha<\/a>: FC Cincinnati, Midfielder<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><strong>Denmark<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/anders-dreyer\/\">Anders Dreyer<\/a>: San Diego FC, Forward<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><strong>North Macedonia<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/danny-musovski\/\">Danny Musovski<\/a>: Seattle Sounders FC, Forward<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><strong>Sweden<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/herman-johansson\/\">Herman Johansson<\/a>: FC Dallas, Defender\/Midfielder<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><strong>Ukraine<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/oleksandr-svatok\/\">Oleksandr Svatok<\/a>: Austin FC, Defender<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RhVXoBoqwyo?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"38 GOAL Contributions in ONE Season | Best of MLS Newcomer Anders Dreyer!\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>European Playoffs: What to know<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Format<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sixteen (16) teams that advanced past the first round of European (UEFA) qualifying were drawn, via seeding pots, into four groups of four.<\/p>\n<p>Each group features two single-leg semifinals, with the semifinal winners advancing to a single-leg final. The winners of each of the four UEFA playoff pathways advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pathway A<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Semifinals<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 26: Wales vs. Bosnia &#038; Herzegovina<\/li>\n<li>March 26: Italy vs. Northern Ireland<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Final<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 31: Wales vs. Bosnia &#038; Herzegovina winner <strong>HOSTS<\/strong> Italy vs. Northern Ireland winner<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Winner joins Group B at the World Cup alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pathway B<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Semifinals<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 26: Ukraine vs. Sweden<\/li>\n<li>March 26: Poland vs. Albania<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Final<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 31: Ukraine vs. Sweden winner\u00a0<strong>HOSTS<\/strong> Poland vs. Albania winner<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Winner joins Group F at the World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pathway C<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Semifinals<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 26: Slovakia vs. Kosovo<\/li>\n<li>March 26: T\u00fcrkiye vs. Romania<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Final<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 31: Slovakia vs. Kosovo winner <strong>HOSTS<\/strong> T\u00fcrkiye vs. Romania winner<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Winner joins Group D at the World Cup alongside the United States, Australia and Paraguay.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pathway D<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Semifinals<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 26: Czechia vs. Ireland<\/li>\n<li>March 26: Denmark vs. North Macedonia<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Final<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 31: Czechia vs. Ireland winner\u00a0<strong>HOSTS<\/strong> Denmark vs. North Macedonia winner<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Winner joins Group A at the World Cup alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote><p>\u2014 FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FIFAWorldCup\/status\/1991492604572365106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3><strong>Intercontinental Playoffs: What to know<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Format<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This play-in tournament features six teams: one from Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania, plus two from Concacaf. There are no European teams in the Intercontinental Playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>The six teams are divided into two groups of three, with the lower-ranked teams facing off in the semifinals and the two higher-ranked teams receiving byes to their respective finals.<\/p>\n<p>The semifinal winners will advance to the single-elimination final. The winner of the final advances to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>These matches will all be held at neutral venues in Mexico.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pathway A<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Semifinal<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 26: New Calendonia vs. Jamaica<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Final<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 31: New Calendonia vs. Jamaica winner vs. DR Congo<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Winner joins Group K at the World Cup alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Playoff Pathway B<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Semifinal<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 26: Bolivia vs. Suriname<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Final<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>March 31: Bolivia vs. Suriname winner vs. Iraq<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Winner joins Group I at the World Cup alongside France, Senegal and Norway.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote><p>\u2014 FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FIFAWorldCup\/status\/1991498442712219793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>World Cup need to know<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/fifa-world-cup-2026-mls-guide-to-march-s-last-chance-qualifiers\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Leigha Roberie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer The final spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided during the March international window, determining which six nations complete this summer&#8217;s 48-team field. The remaining berths are determined via the Intercontinental Playoffs (two spots) and UEFA Playoffs (four spots). Semifinals will be played on March 26, followed by the finals on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":894770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4219,2005,644],"tags":[7342,5489],"class_list":{"0":"post-894769","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-guide","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-world","10":"tag-guide","11":"tag-world"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/894769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=894769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/894769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/894770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=894769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=894769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=894769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}