New Delhi, March 25 -- 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 thr...