Less than 80 days before the World Cup kickoff, the final spots for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico are up for grabs. Twenty-two countries are vying for the remaining six spots in the 48-team event. In Europe, 16 nations are competing for the last four berths, while six teams from other regions are fighting for the remaining two spots. The qualifiers will be decided through mini single-elimination tournaments over the next six days, with matches scheduled for Thursday and Tuesday.
Canada may not be directly involved, but it has a vested interest in the qualifying matches. One of the contests will determine Canada’s opponent in the World Cup opener on June 12 in Toronto, with three qualifiers set to play group-stage matches in Toronto or Vancouver.
The European qualifying tournaments feature 16 hopeful teams split into four four-team brackets or “paths.” The winners of the Thursday matches in each path will compete for a World Cup spot on Tuesday.
In Path A, Italy, a four-time World Cup winner, is aiming to secure a place in the tournament. Ranked 12th globally, Italy faces Northern Ireland on Thursday, with the winner advancing to play either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. The victor will join Group B at the World Cup alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.
Other European brackets have clear favorites, with Turkey, Denmark, Poland, and Sweden among the top contenders. The matches will decide which teams move on to the World Cup group stages.
The intercontinental playoffs follow a similar single-elimination format, with matches on Thursday and Tuesday. Six teams are divided into smaller groups, with the winners of each path progressing to the World Cup.
Canada, ranked 29th, will be hosting friendly matches against Iceland and Tunisia as they prepare for the World Cup. The team will be missing several key players due to injuries as they gear up for the international fixtures at Toronto’s BMO Field.