{"id":17202,"date":"2026-03-24T14:21:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=17202"},"modified":"2026-03-24T14:21:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:21:09","slug":"the-final-countdown-fifa-world-cup-2026-play-offs-odds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/world-cup\/the-final-countdown-fifa-world-cup-2026-play-offs-odds\/","title":{"rendered":"The Final Countdown: FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-offs &#038; Odds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The stage is set. This Thursday, <strong>March 26, 2026<\/strong>, the final chapter of qualification for the greatest show on Earth begins. With 42 nations already packing their bags for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these play-offs represent the absolute &#8220;now or never&#8221; moment for the remaining hopefuls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the high-pressure cauldrons of Europe to the neutral territory of Mexico&#8217;s elite stadiums, here is everything you need to know about the fixtures, the favorites, and how to catch the action live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UEFA Play-offs: Semi-Final Odds &amp; Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The European paths are notoriously ruthless. In a single-leg knockout, a single mistake can end a four-year dream. Bookmakers have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/italy-2375\">Italy<\/a> as the heaviest favorites of the night, while Path B looks like a complete toss-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UEFA Semi-Finals Match Odds (Decimal)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Matchup<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Home Win<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Draw<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Away Win<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/italy-2375\"><strong>Italy<\/strong> vs <strong>Northern Ireland<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>1.33<\/strong><\/td><td>5.00<\/td><td>9.75<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/uefa-wc-qualification-5421\/bosnia-%2526-herzegovina-wales-5043-5048-5421#id=4620791\"><strong>Wales<\/strong> vs <strong>Bosnia<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>1.88<\/strong><\/td><td>3.40<\/td><td>4.33<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/uefa-wc-qualification-5421\/sweden-ukraine-2371-5057-5421#id=4620796\"><strong>Ukraine<\/strong> vs <strong>Sweden<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>2.80<\/strong><\/td><td>3.20<\/td><td><strong>2.60<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/uefa-wc-qualification-5421\/albania-poland-5029-5038-5421#id=4620792\"><strong>Poland<\/strong> vs <strong>Albania<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>1.68<\/strong><\/td><td>3.60<\/td><td>5.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/uefa-wc-qualification-5421\/romania-turkiye-5047-5060-5421#id=4620797\"><strong>Turkey<\/strong> vs <strong>Romania<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>1.44<\/strong><\/td><td>4.80<\/td><td>6.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/uefa-wc-qualification-5421\/kosovo-slovakia-5039-19414-5421#id=4620793\"><strong>Slovakia<\/strong> vs <strong>Kosovo<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>2.00<\/strong><\/td><td>3.30<\/td><td>3.80<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/uefa-wc-qualification-5421\/denmark-north-macedonia-5027-5068-5421#id=4620798\"><strong>Denmark<\/strong> vs <strong>North Macedonia<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>1.34<\/strong><\/td><td>5.00<\/td><td>9.25<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/uefa-wc-qualification-5421\/czech-republic-ireland-5040-5064-5421#id=4620794\"><strong>Czech Republic<\/strong> vs <strong>Ireland<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td><strong>1.95<\/strong><\/td><td>3.40<\/td><td>4.20<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> In the <strong>Italy<\/strong> match, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/mateo-retegui-64506#national\">Mateo Retegui<\/a> is the favorite to open the scoring at <strong>+250<\/strong>. If you&#8217;re looking for a dark horse, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/sweden-2371\">Sweden<\/a><\/strong> are slightly favored by some sharps to edge out <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/ukraine-5057\">Ukraine<\/a><\/strong> on neutral ground.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"548\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-19-548x1024.png\" alt=\"FIFA 2026 World Cup play-off qualifiers -  UEFA. \" class=\"wp-image-17206\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Via 365Scores)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/wc-qual-inter-confederation-playoffs-5788\">FIFA Play-off Tournament<\/a>: Mexico&#8217;s Final Tickets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Europe battles at home, Mexico City and Guadalajara host the intercontinental showdown. This is where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/jamaica-5421\">Jamaica<\/a> looks to secure their first trip to the big dance since &#8217;98.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Semi-Final 1: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/wc-qual-inter-confederation-playoffs-5788\/jamaica-new-caledonia-5421-10492-5788#id=4620779\"><strong>Jamaica<\/strong> vs <strong>New Caledonia<\/strong><\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Line:<\/strong> Jamaica are massive favorites (-450). Expect the Reggae Boyz to dominate possession.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Semi-Final 2: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/wc-qual-inter-confederation-playoffs-5788\/bolivia-suriname-5077-5616-5788#id=4620780\"><strong>Bolivia<\/strong> vs <strong>Suriname<\/strong><\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Line:<\/strong> This is tighter than people think. Bolivia (-110) are favorites due to experience, but Suriname&#8217;s recent form makes them a live underdog at (+280).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While four nations battle it out in the semi-finals this Thursday, two teams are already standing at the finish line. Because of their superior FIFA World Rankings at the time of the draw, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/iraq-5078\">Iraq<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/dr-congo-14650\">DR Congo<\/a><\/strong> have been seeded directly into the Play-off Finals on <strong>Tuesday, March 31<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For these two nations, the tension is of a different kind: they must watch their potential opponents beat each other up while they try to stay sharp on the training pitch in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"548\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-21-548x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17208\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Via 365Scores)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Watch: Global Broadcast Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t miss a minute of the drama. Here is where to find the matches in your region:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>United States<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>English:<\/strong> FOX Sports (FOX, FS1, FS2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spanish:<\/strong> Telemundo, Universo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Streaming:<\/strong> Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Peacock (Spanish only)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>United Kingdom<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>All UEFA Matches:<\/strong> <strong>BBC<\/strong> and <strong>ITV<\/strong> (Free-to-air via iPlayer and ITVX)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wales Specials:<\/strong> <strong>S4C<\/strong> will provide dedicated Welsh-language coverage for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/wales-844\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wales<\/a> vs Bosnia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Northern Ireland:<\/strong> BBC Sport NI will have full coverage of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/italy-816\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Italy<\/a> clash.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rest of the World<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mexico:<\/strong> TelevisaUnivision and TV Azteca.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Canada:<\/strong> TSN and CTV (Bell Media).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FIFA Play-off Tournament (Global):<\/strong> For territories without a local broadcaster, the tournament in Mexico will be streamed live and for free on <strong>FIFA+<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/where-to-watch\">365Scores where to watch<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Injuries to Watch Before Kickoff<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep an eye on the final fitness tests for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/sandro-tonali-52242#national\">Sandro Tonali<\/a><\/strong>, that is carrying minor knocks that could shift the odds significantly by Thursday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2170569462-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 06: Sandro Tonali of Italy looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2024\/25 League A Group A2 match between France and Italy at Parc des Princes on September 06, 2024 in Paris, France.\" class=\"wp-image-17209\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> (Photo by Franco Arland &#8211; UEFA\/UEFA via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The stage is set. This Thursday, March 26, 2026, the final chapter of qualification for the greatest show on Earth begins. With 42 nations already packing their bags for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these play-offs represent the absolute &#8220;now or never&#8221; moment for the remaining hopefuls. From the high-pressure cauldrons of Europe to the &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":17210,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,4286],"tags":[2929,4870,4869,108,4807],"class_list":["post-17202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","category-world-cup-2026","tag-2026-fifa-world-cup","tag-azzurri","tag-fifa-world-cup-uefa-qualifiers","tag-soccer","tag-world-cup-play-off-tournament","article_type-news","article_type-seo","entity_type-competition","inspiration-365s-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17202"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17212,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17202\/revisions\/17212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}