The final six World Cup places are up for grabs over the next week across two playoff tournaments that will complete the 48-team lineup.
Sixteen teams from Europe will compete for four spots, while a new intercontinental tournament staged in Mexico will determine the other two places.
The biggest ever World Cup — up from 32 teams in Qatar in 2022 — is being co-hosted by three nations for the first time: The United States, Canada and Mexico.
Four-time champion Italy is the standout name in the European playoffs as it tries to avoid the ignominy of missing out on a World Cup for a third consecutive time.
“It’s undeniable that there’s nervousness,” coach Gennaro Gattuso said. “Only someone without blood running through their veins wouldn’t feel it.”
New Caledonia, Suriname, Kosovo and Albania are all vying to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.
European playoffs
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