Guadalajara, Monterrey to Host FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament

FIFA has selected Guadalajara and Monterrey as the host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament, scheduled from 23 to 31 March 2026. The competition will determine the final two nations to qualify for the first 48-team FIFA World Cup™, set to kick off less than three months later across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The play-off will feature six national teams from five confederations: Iraq (AFC), Congo DR (CAF), Jamaica and Suriname (CONCACAF), Bolivia (CONMEBOL), and New Caledonia (OFC). Both Guadalajara Stadium and Monterrey Stadium will also host group-stage matches during the 2026 World Cup, with Monterrey Stadium additionally hosting a Round-of-32 clash.

“These iconic stadiums are the perfect stages for what promises to be a thrilling event filled with passion, drama, and excitement,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This Play-Off Tournament offers fans the chance to be part of history-making matches in world-class cities and venues ahead of the main event.”

Guadalajara Stadium, opened in 2010 and home to Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara, is renowned for its modern facilities and vibrant atmosphere, making it an ideal setting for high-stakes play-off matches.

Monterrey Stadium, nicknamed El Gigante de Acero (“the Steel Giant”) and inaugurated in 2015, serves as the home of Rayados and has already hosted major international football events. Its architectural design provides a dramatic backdrop for the upcoming encounters.

The Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament will take place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday, 20 November 2025, at 13:00 CET. The full match schedule will be confirmed immediately after the draw. Fans worldwide can follow the event live on FIFA.com, FIFA+, and via media partners.

Ticketing information for fans eager to attend the qualifying matches in Mexico will be released early next year, with tickets available via FIFA.com/tickets.

The Play-Off Tournament forms a key milestone in the road to FIFA World Cup 2026, alongside the Final Draw in Washington D.C. on 5 December 2025 and the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on 30 April 2026. The tournament will officially kick off at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, 11 June 2026.

🔗 Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q