Battle for the Last 6 World Cup Spots

Six spots are still up for grabs and the race couldn’t be tighter.

Italy, once a powerhouse of world football, faces a high-stakes showdown against Northern Ireland, with World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. After missing the last two editions, the Azzurri are under real pressure to deliver and silence growing doubts about their decline.

Across Europe, the play-offs are unforgiving. Sixteen teams, four paths, and only the winners move on. It’s a straight fight semi-finals followed by a final, with no room for error.

From Wales and Bosnia to Ukraine and Poland, every side is chasing the same dream: a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

One bad night, and it’s over. One big performance, and history can change.