The 2023 World Cup is just around the corner, and three spots in this summer’s tournament remain up for grabs.
The intercontinental playoffs, which kick off at 8 p.m. ET Friday, will determine the final three entrants to the World Cup. Ten teams from the six FIFA confederations are participating in the play-in tournament.
U.S. women’s national team fans should pay attention, as one of the USWNT’s three group-stage opponents will come out of these playoffs. The winner of Group A in the intercontinental playoffs will move into Group E for the World Cup, where the team will go up against the USWNT, the Netherlands and Vietnam.
Where are the playoffs?
World Cup co-host New Zealand also will host these playoffs, with teams competing in two of the World Cup venues.
Who has qualified?
Teams that narrowly missed out on qualification via their confederations’ qualifying tournaments join the intercontinental playoff field for one more chance at a World Cup berth.
- AFC (Asia): Chinese Taipei, Thailand
- CAF (Africa): Cameroon, Senegal
- Concacaf (North America): Haiti, Panama
- Conmebol (South America): Chile, Paraguay
- OFC (Oceania): Papua New Guinea
- UEFA (Europe): Portugal
What is the format?
- The 10-team field is divided into two groups of…
