India, March 31 -- As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its final phase, only six qualification spots remain to complete the 48-team lineup. A total of 42 teams have already booked their tickets, and after a set of semifinals last week, it comes down to six matches to decide the last six spots - with 12 nations still in contention through two playoff routes, European and intercontinental.

Six places are still up for grabs. Four will be decided from four European nations while the remaining two will come via the intercontinental playoff finals.

The European playoffs featured 16 teams - 12 runners-up from the qualifying groups, along with four teams from the UEFA Nations League pathway. They were narrowed down to eight final...