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The last six spots for this summer’s World Cup are still to be decided, with eyes on the unofficial world champions, a Pacific island nation, and a former Manchester United coach now leading Iraq.

World Cup 2026 qualification reaches its dramatic conclusion this week, beginning tonight. Six positions for the 48-nation event remain open, with the final stage divided into two key sections: the Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament (2 spots) and the UEFA Play-Offs (4 spots). The Inter-Confederation event, a six-team mini-tournament hosted in Mexico (mainly in Guadalajara and Monterrey), also serves as a World Cup test event. It includes teams from every confederation except Europe. DR Congo and Iraq, being the highest-ranked sides, have received direct entry into the finals, while Jamaica, Suriname, Bolivia, and New Caledonia will face off in tonight’s semi-finals. Meanwhile, Europe’s bracket features 16 nations (12 group runners-up and 4 via the Nations League), competing in one-legged semi-finals (tonight) and finals (Tuesday) for the four remaining European slots.

Two decades ago, Craig Bellamy had his defining moment as a Wales player against Italy in Cardiff. Tonight, he could have another against the same opposition—this time as the Wales manager. Bellamy, who earned 78 caps, is best remembered for his winner against Italy in a 2002 Euro qualifier when he rounded Gianluigi Buffon at the Millennium Stadium. Ryan Giggs, another star from that night, recalls Bellamy’s fierce determination and football intelligence. “He was obsessed with football and being the best,” Giggs told FourFourTwo. “Injuries held him back, but his understanding of the game was top-notch.” Bellamy took over as Wales boss in July 2024, succeeding Rob Page, who had led the team through two major tournaments.

Page had replaced Giggs in 2020 after the latter stepped aside due to a legal case, from which he was later cleared. Giggs, now eyeing a return to management, praised Bellamy’s work: “He’s earned his stripes. He’s coached youth and abroad. He isn’t afraid to start players that fans might not know in major games, and he’s built great depth.” Bellamy’s Wales secured a play-off berth after thrashing North Macedonia 7-1 to finish second behind Belgium in their qualifying group. Harry Wilson’s hat-trick sealed a home semi-final against Bosnia at Cardiff City Stadium tonight. While Bosnia narrowly missed winning their group ahead of Austria, Wales are favourites. Star striker Edin Dzeko, now 40, leads Bosnia, while Wales will miss injured veteran Ben Davies. Victory would set up a home final with Italy or Northern Ireland on March 31, with the winner joining Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar. It would mark Wales’ third play-off path to a major tournament in four years, following heartbreak against Poland in Euro 2024 and Gareth Bale’s heroics in 2022 that ended a 64-year World Cup drought.

For Northern Ireland, memories of Gerry Armstrong’s winner against Spain in Valencia at the 1982 World Cup linger. A semi-final triumph over Italy tonight in Bergamo would rank among their greatest moments. They would still need to win a final away on Tuesday to reach their first World Cup since 1986. Northern Ireland’s route to the play-offs came through topping their Nations League C group ahead of Bulgaria, Belarus, and Luxembourg. Despite finishing third behind Germany and Slovakia in qualifying, they secured the final European play-off spot. However, injuries have hit hard—Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard are out, leaving Michael O’Neill with limited Premier League representation. O’Neill, who also manages Blackburn until season’s end, could be overseeing his final campaign as national coach. Should they fall to Italy, they’ll face either Wales or Bosnia in a consolation friendly. Yet, with Italy’s history of play-off failures, hope remains alive in Belfast.

Italy, meanwhile, are desperate to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup. Since their 2006 triumph, the Azzurri have won just one World Cup game (against England in 2014) and failed to qualify in 2018 and 2022. Despite winning Euro 2020, they stumbled again in qualifying—losing 3-0 to Norway in Oslo in their opening match, leading to Luciano Spalletti’s exit and Gennaro Gattuso’s appointment. Left-back Destiny Udogie told FourFourTwo that Norway’s strength made the group tough: “They’re a strong team. We got 18 points, but it wasn’t enough.” Although Italy comfortably beat Israel, Estonia, and Moldova, Norway’s superior goal difference meant Italy had to win 9-0 in their final meeting—an impossible task as they lost 4-1 in Milan. Facing Northern Ireland now, Udogie insists Italy are ready: “After missing two World Cups, the country expects us to be there. This game is like a final.” Udogie also joked about a potential final against Wales with his former Spurs teammates Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson: “We’ve joked about it. I told them, 100 per cent, we’ll win!”

For Irish fans, North America evokes memories of their 1-0 win over Italy at Giants Stadium in 1994. Terry Phelan, who played that day, recalls: “Walking out to see 75,000 fans—mostly Irish—was surreal. We had no fear.” Under Jack Charlton, that side reached the last 16. The Republic’s 2026 hopes looked bleak after collecting just one point from three qualifiers, but under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, they recovered dramatically. The former Iceland boss led them to three straight wins, including a 3-2 comeback in Hungary where Troy Parrott scored all five goals. Now, they face the Czech Republic in Prague tonight. A win would set up a home final in Dublin against Denmark or North Macedonia. Should they qualify, they’d join Group A with Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea. Phelan is optimistic: “They’ve worked so hard. I’d give them an 85 or 90 per cent chance to make it.”

Elsewhere, Nigeria, ranked 26th by FIFA, have already been eliminated, but 150th-ranked New Caledonia could still qualify. The Pacific archipelago, a French territory 750 miles east of Australia, will play Jamaica in Guadalajara. New Caledonia’s growth has been remarkable—from 191st to 2nd in Oceania—and they earned their play-off berth by finishing runners-up to New Zealand. Their most famous footballer remains Christian Karembeu, a World Cup winner with France in 1998. The winner of tonight’s semi-final meets DR Congo, who await in the final. However, Nigeria have appealed DR Congo’s eligibility, citing technical irregularities. DR Congo, known as Zaire in 1974, famously lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia and are hoping for redemption this year.

In Monterrey, Suriname will play Bolivia in another intercontinental semi-final. Despite rich football heritage through Dutch-Surinamese icons like Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Clarence Seedorf, Suriname have never reached a World Cup. They qualified for these play-offs in bizarre fashion—scoring a stoppage-time own goal in Guatemala without realising it secured their spot. Bolivia, meanwhile, used extreme altitude tactics in qualifying, hosting matches at Palo Alto—13,412 feet above sea level—to unsettle opponents. They now face a challenge at Monterrey’s modest 1,770 feet altitude before potentially meeting Iraq in the final.

Sweden, under Graham Potter, are also seeking redemption. Potter, appointed in October after Jon Dahl Tomasson’s exit, took charge of a struggling side that lost to Kosovo twice. Despite finishing bottom of their group, Sweden’s Nations League success earned them a play-off shot. They face Ukraine in Valencia, with the winner meeting Poland or Albania. Potter is aiming to join New Zealand’s Darren Bazeley as the second English manager at the 2026 World Cup.

Kosovo, meanwhile, could qualify for their first-ever World Cup—but they already hold the title of unofficial world champions. The Unofficial Football World Championship passes from team to team like boxing belts, with Kosovo currently unbeaten in four matches since claiming it from Sweden. They face Slovakia in their play-off semi-final, with the winner set to host Turkey or Romania in the final, keeping the unofficial crown in play.