2026 World Cup Playoffs: Which Country Will Meet the USMNT in Group D?
U.S. Men’s National Team awaits final Group D opponent between Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just months away, and 22 nations are still in the hunt for the final six spots. The FIFA Play-off Tournament will see six teams compete for two of those berths, while the European nations will compete for the final four spots in a separate 16-team tournament.
The U.S. Men’s National Team was drawn into Group D along with Paraguay and Australia on Dec. 5, 2025. The fourth team in Group D will be determined by the European playoffs that take place this week. For the USMNT, their fourth opponent in the group stage will be either Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Türkiye.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup UEFA Playoffs and how to find out which European opponent the U.S. will see this summer:
How do the playoffs work?
The 12 runners-up from the World Cup qualifying group stage, plus four teams that earned places through their performances in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, are split into four paths with four teams each.
Each path follows the same format: two single-leg semifinals followed by one single-leg final. The winners of each path qualify for the World Cup. In short, win two matches, and you're in.
Which path leads to the USA’s group?
The winner of Path C advances to World Cup Group D with the USA, Australia and Paraguay.
Türkiye will face Romania, and Slovakia will play Kosovo. The winners of the two semifinals will face off in the final for the last Group D spot.
When are the games and how do I watch?
Türkiye vs. Romania: Thursday, March 26 at 1 p.m. ET on FS2, FUBO, ViX+
Slovakia vs. Kosovo: Thursday, March 26 at 3:45 p.m. ET on ViX+
Final: Tuesday, March 31 at 3:45 p.m. ET with streaming TBD
Which countries are in the other paths?
Path A
Semifinal 1: Italy vs. Northern Ireland
Semifinal 2: Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Final: Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner
The final winner advances to World Cup Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Path B
Semifinal 1: Ukraine vs. Sweden
Semifinal 2: Poland vs. Albania
Final: Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner
The final winner advances to World Cup Group F with Japan, Netherlands and Tunisia.
Path D
Semifinal 1: Denmark vs. North Macedonia
Semifinal 2: Czechia vs. Republic of Ireland
Final: Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner
The final winner advances to World Cup Group A with Korea Republic, Mexico and South Africa.
Path A, B and D semifinals also take place on Thursday, March 26 at 3:45 p.m. ET. All final matches will be on Tuesday, March 31 at 3:45 p.m. ET.