This situation means that one team will take a spot in the semi-final, which will force the Asian representative to play an additional match to reach the final. Observers believe that a match against a team from North America in the semi-final could be tactically more complex, especially since teams from that region have extensive experience in playoff matches and their specific calculations. Predictions indicate that the results of the final round in the Panama and Costa Rica group will directly determine the path of the Asian team to the final. In this case, the Asian representative will not have to play in the semi-final and will advance directly to the final match, giving them a significant sporting and psychological advantage. The most difficult scenario is if Panama or Costa Rica advance to the global playoff. The winners of both finals qualify for the World Cup. The teams that have qualified so far come from three different continents. Congo secured its spot by settling in a position that ranks it between 56th or 57th, while Bolivia secured its qualification in 76th place, in addition to New Caledonia, which holds a low position in the global list at number 149. The calculations for the next stage have become more complex as the Iraq and UAE teams approach securing their spot in the Asian playoff, a matchup that is almost certain given their rankings. Iraq is in a position similar to Congo's, while the UAE team is in 64th place. Although the identity of the Asian representative is almost certain, this team's path to the final still depends on results from another continent, North America. The direct path to the final for Iraq or the UAE depends on the position of the Panama and Costa Rica teams in the final round of qualifiers. If they qualify directly for the World Cup without needing the playoffs, it will be a positive factor for the Arab teams. The journey to the global playoff for the 2026 World Cup has entered a critical phase with half of the required spots now filled. Three teams—Congo, Bolivia, and New Caledonia—have secured their place in this path so far, while nine other teams are competing for the remaining four spots. Teams participating in the playoff are ranked according to their FIFA ranking. The four lowest-ranked teams will play in semi-final matches determined by a draw, while the two highest-ranked teams will advance directly to the final match.
