Guadalajara Stadium and Monterrey Stadium to stage FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament next March
Draw for six-team competition set to take place at Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland this Thursday
Two places at next year's global showpiece up for grabs on Mexican soil
FIFA has selected Guadalajara and Monterrey as the Host Cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament, which is scheduled to be contested in the two Mexican cities between 23 and 31 March 2026. The competition will determine two of the final nations to qualify for the first 48-team FIFA World Cup™ , which will kick off less than three months later across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Guadalajara Stadium and Monterrey Stadium are set to welcome six national teams from five confederations as they compete for the last available places at the game-changing global showpiece. Iraq will fly the flag for AFC, Congo DR will represent CAF, Jamaica and Suriname will compete for Concacaf, Bolivia will turn out for CONMEBOL and New Caledonia will represent OFC. The two venues will also host matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026 , with Guadalajara Stadium to welcome four group-stage contests and Monterrey Stadium poised to stage a trio of group games, as well as 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 which will kick off less than three months later across Canada, Mexico and the United States."
Guadalajara Stadium is one of the most modern football arenas in Mexico. Opened in 2010, it is home to Liga MX outfit C. D. Guadalajara and has hosted numerous international matches throughout its history. The stadium's state-of-the-art facilities and the intense atmosphere generated in the stands make it an ideal setting for the high-stakes play-off matches. Nicknamed El Gigante de Acero ("the Steel Giant"), Monterrey Stadium has been the home of Mexican top-flight side Rayados since its inauguration in 2015. An architectural marvel, it has already proved its ability to host major international football events and will provide a fitting backdrop for the dramatic encounters to come.
The Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament will take place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland tomorrow (Thursday, 20 November 2025) starting at 13:00 CET, with the match schedule for the competition to be confirmed afterwards. Fans around the world will be able to follow the draw live on FIFA.com , FIFA+ and via media partners. Fans eager to attend the qualifying showdowns in Mexico will be able to secure tickets via FIFA.com/tickets . Ticketing information is set to be released early next year. Along with other key events, including the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC on Friday, 5 December and the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, on Thursday, 30 April 2026, the play-off tournament in Mexico will mark a significant milestone in the build-up to next year's edition of FIFA's flagship tournament, which will kick off at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, 11 June.
