Mexico was officially named as the neutral host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Inter Confederation Playoffs, which will take place from March 26 to the 31st. The Playoffs will take part between the team from CONCACAF,
CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF and OFC. The World Cup host cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey will each have one bracket series that would give the two remaining Non UEFA tickets left for the 2026 World Cup that will take part in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
In preparation for the World Cup, Mexico will be the host country for the playoffs that would give the last tickets to the World Cup. Six countries will take part in two bracket series in which the winners will be qualifying to the World Cup. Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey will each be hosting each series, which will consist of two matches.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara will be the host for Pathway 1. The pathway will consist of three teams: Jamaica, New Caledonia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jamaica and New Caledonia will face each other in the first match on March 26th. The winner will then face the “seeded” team, DR of Congo in the Final on March 31st. The winner of that match qualifies to the World Cup.
Monterrey
The city of Monterrey will be hosting Pathway 2, also with three teams. The teams will be Suriname, Bolivia and Iraq. On March 26th, Suriname will be playing against Bolivia. The winner gets to face the “seeded” Iraq in the final of the pathway, also on March 31st.
Mexico will have a great test for their cities that will host the World Cup with the Inter Confederation Playoffs. The other host city, Mexico City, will also have action in March but it will be a Mexican National Team friendly. Although it’s likely to be against Portugal, the match hasn’t been announced yet. More so the stadium is still being remodeled while the two other stadiums are currently being used by their teams. It will be a great test especially in terms of hosting fans from other countries as well as displaying safety procedures. It could also present opportunities for friendly for the Mexican National team if certain National teams arrive before, although they would have to be non FIFA date friendlies. Either way the World Cup action arrives early for Mexico in 2026.
