Winner Inter Path 1

World Cup 2026 Analysis

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature an expanded 48-team format, with the final two qualification spots decided by a six-team inter-confederation playoff tournament, officially named the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, taking place in Mexico between March 23 and 31, 2026. This tournament is divided into two "paths" or "pathways," with "Inter Path 1" being one of them. The winners of these two pathways will secure the last two berths in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Inter Path 1 Teams and Format

Inter Path 1 of the FIFA Play-Off Tournament consists of three teams: New Caledonia, Jamaica, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). The format for Pathway 1 is as follows:

• A semi-final match will be played between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
• The winner of this semi-final will then face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final of Pathway 1.

All matches in the inter-confederation playoffs are single-leg knockout games. If scores are level after normal time, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if necessary.

Team Overview and Prospects for Inter Path 1

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo): As the highest-ranked team in Pathway 1 (56th in FIFA Men's World Rankings as of November 2025), DR Congo receives a bye directly to the final of their pathway. They earned their playoff spot by finishing as one of the best runners-up in the CAF qualifiers, notably eliminating teams like Cameroon and Nigeria. Their direct entry into the final match gives them a significant advantage, and they are considered strong contenders to win Pathway 1 and qualify for the World Cup.
• Jamaica: Ranked 70th in the FIFA Men's World Rankings (November 2025), Jamaica will participate in the semi-final of Pathway 1 against New Caledonia. They qualified as one of the two CONCACAF representatives in the inter-confederation playoffs. Their prospects depend heavily on their performance against New Caledonia, with the ultimate challenge being DR Congo if they advance.
• New Caledonia: As the lowest-ranked team in Pathway 1 (149th in FIFA Men's World Rankings as of November 2025), New Caledonia will face Jamaica in the semi-final. They secured their spot in the inter-confederation playoffs by reaching the OFC qualifying final, where they lost to New Zealand. Overcoming both Jamaica and then DR Congo would represent a significant upset for New Caledonia.

Analysis of Prospects

Based on FIFA rankings and the playoff structure, the Democratic Republic of the Congo appears to have the strongest prospects of winning Inter Path 1. Their higher ranking and direct qualification to the final mean they only need to win one match to secure a World Cup spot. Jamaica's chances are reasonable in their semi-final against New Caledonia, but they would then face a formidable opponent in DR Congo. New Caledonia faces the toughest challenge, needing to win two consecutive knockout matches against higher-ranked opponents to qualify.

Latest News

• The draw for the inter-confederation playoffs was held on November 20, 2025, determining the matchups.
• The inter-confederation playoff games will be staged in Mexico, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
• The winner of Inter Path 1 has been drawn into Group K of the FIFA World Cup 2026, alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. This means the qualifying team will face strong opposition in the group stage of the main tournament.
• Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is largely complete, with 42 of the 48 teams already confirmed. The remaining spots, including the two from the inter-confederation playoffs, are eagerly anticipated.

The inter-confederation playoffs are scheduled for the international fixture window from March 23-31, 2026.