It all comes down to this.
By early Wednesday morning, we’ll know the six final teams participating in the 2026 World Cup. With six playoff finals being staged on Tuesday across Europe and in Mexico, a long, emotional journey will end in either celebration or disappointment.
As the final puzzle pieces are put into place, here’s a quick look at how each team got here, as well as how to watch and stream the action:
Intercontinental Playoff Path A (winner to Group K): Jamaica vs. DR Congo
A reminder that the winner of this one takes on Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27 on the final day of the World Cup group stage. The Reggae Boyz, looking for a first appearance in the tournament since 1998, can count themselves fortunate to defeat a pesky New Caledonia team 1-0. Clearly, Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake and his mates will be hoping for a much better performance for a DR Congo side that hasn’t been to a World Cup since 1974.
How to watch Jamaica vs. DR Congo in Intercontinental Playoff Path A Final
Tuesday, March 31, 5 p.m. ET
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
TV: FS1
Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports or FOX One app
Intercontinental Playoff Path B (winner to Group I): Bolivia winner vs. Iraq
Suriname actually struck first on Thursday, but Bolivia, seeking their first appearance since 1994, used a goal in the 72nd minute and a penalty in the 79th minute to secure passage to Tuesday’s playoff final in Monterrey, where they’ll face an Iraqi side looking to snap a 40-year tournament drought.
Intercontinental Playoff Path B (winner to Group I): Bolivia vs. Iraq
Tuesday, March 31, 11 p.m. ET
Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
TV: FS1
Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports or FOX One app
UEFA Path A (winner to Group B): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy
Two crushing results on Tuesday for Wales and Northern Ireland as their hopes for a World Cup appearance were ended by Bosnia and Italy, respectively. The pressure to win Tuesday’s match in Zenica, Bosnia, is certainly much higher in the Azzurri camp as the Italians, the 2010 champions, look to avoid a third straight absence from the big stage.
How to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy (Path A World Cup playoff final)
Tuesday, March 31, 2:45 p.m. ET
Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica
TV: FS1
Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports or FOX One app
UEFA Path B (winner to Group F): Sweden vs. Poland
Sweden, which last went to the World Cup in 2018, will be on home soil when they take on Poland, who are looking to ensure one last appearance in the tournament for 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski. (Former Atlanta United man Bartosz Slisz, now with Brøndby in Denmark, came on as a second-half substitute against Albania on Tuesday.)
How to watch Sweden vs. Poland (Path B World Cup playoff final)
Tuesday, March 31, 2:45 p.m. ET
Nationalarenan, Solna
Streaming: Fubo (click here for free trial)
UEFA Path C (winner to Group D): Türkiye vs. Kosovo
Tuesday could be a seminal moment in the sporting history of Kosovo, which hasn’t been to a World Cup since becoming a sovereign nation. Imagine them punching their ticket in front of what should be a fever-pitch crowd in the country’s capital. Türkiye, looking to return for the first time since a third-place finish in 2002, is the only team standing in their way. (Reminder: The winner joins the U.S. in Group D.)
How to watch Türkiye vs. Kosovo (Path C World Cup playoff final)
Tuesday, March 31, 2:45 p.m. ET
Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina
Streaming: FOX Soccer Plus
UEFA Path D (winner to Group A): Czechia vs. Denmark
The winner of this one takes on South Africa in World Cup Group A action in Atlanta on June 18. Will it be Denmark, which scored one goal in the group stage in 2022? Or will it be Czechia, which will have a home crowd behind them as they look to clinch a first trip to the tournament since 2006?
How to watch Czechia vs. Denmark (Path D World Cup playoff final)
Tuesday, March 31, 2:45 p.m. ET
Stadion Letná, Prague
Streaming: Fubo
quick correction – Haaland plays for Norway (which has qualified for the World Cup).
Ah, thanks! I knew that haha.