FIFA has banned two nations from playing each other in the World Cup play-offs.

A total of 16 teams will represent Europe at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with 12 teams directly qualifying after winning their respective qualification groups.

The remaining four teams will come from the play-offs, which will feature the 12 runners-up and the four best-ranked group winners from the Nations League who did not finish first or second in World Cup qualifying.

On Thursday, the draw to determine the four play-off paths will be held in Zurich.

Bosnia and Herzegovina are guaranteed a spot in the World Cup play-offs ahead of their final group clash against Austria on Tuesday, although they could automatically qualify with a win.

Kosovo are also guaranteed a spot in the play-offs as they prepare to face Switzerland, who are three points ahead of them in Group B.

It is mathematically possible for Kosovo to overtake Switzerland, but with a +11 goal difference, the latter is unlikely to qualify automatically.

Therefore, depending on Tuesday night’s results, both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo may make the play-offs. However, they cannot be drawn into the same play-off path due to political reasons.

Ahead of World Cup qualifying in 2018, UEFA kept Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina apart for security reasons.

At that time, UEFA also confirmed that its emergency panel ruled that Serbian teams should not play teams from Kosovo in future competitions.

Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, is banned from playing against Serbia, Bosnia, and Russia due to the 1998-1999 war fought with Yugoslav forces.

Khaborwala/SS