As the 2026 FIFA World Cup field continues to crystallize, several European nations are navigating a challenging path to qualification through a playoff system. Following the conclusion of group stage play, 16 teams will vie for the final four European spots in the expanded 48-team tournament, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Slovakia is among those playoff contenders, now positioned in Pot 2 and awaiting the November 20 draw in Zurich to determine their semifinal opponent.
BRATISLAVA – The field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is taking shape, with Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, Austria, and Belgium among the nations securing direct qualification on Tuesday.
Twelve teams have earned automatic berths to the tournament by winning their qualifying groups. Sixteen more European sides will compete in a playoff bracket to claim the remaining four spots. Twelve of those playoff teams finished second in their qualifying groups, while four earned entry based on their performance in the 2025/2026 UEFA Nations League.
Those teams will be placed in Pot 4 for the playoff draw, with the top three pots filled by teams finishing second in qualifying, ranked according to their position in the FIFA world rankings.
Slovakia Lands in Second Pot for World Cup Playoffs
Slovakia will be in Pot 2, meaning they will face one of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Kosovo in the semifinal round. Manager Francesco Calzona’s squad will have the advantage of playing at home as a seeded team. The playoff draw is scheduled for November 20 in Zurich.
Playoff Draw Pots:
Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, SLOVAKIA
Pot 3: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo
Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland
- Autor: © Zoznam/
- Zdroj: TASR
