FIFA announced on Wednesday that the intercontinental playoff tournament for the 2026 World Cup will take place in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Set to begin on March 23, the tournament will see six teams from five different confederations compete for two coveted spots in next summer’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino remarked, “These iconic stadiums are the ideal backdrop for what promises to be an exhilarating event full of passion, drama, and excitement.”
Both stadiums in Guadalajara and Monterrey are scheduled to host matches during the World Cup as well.
The six competing nations include Iraq, Congo, Jamaica, Suriname, Bolivia, and New Caledonia. The draw for the tournament is set to take place on Thursday in Zurich, with the match schedule to follow.
In the upcoming World Cup, the Guadalajara stadium is slated to host four group-stage matches, while the Monterrey stadium will feature three group games and one round-of-32 match.
The other venue in Mexico for the World Cup will be the newly renovated Estadio Azteca.