While the main draw for the 2026 World Cup has been complete for months, some berths for this summer’s global showcase are still very much up for grabs.  The road to soccer’s biggest stage will run directly through Mexico later this month, with Guadalajara’s Akron Stadium playing host to two do-or-die playoff matches that offer fans a rare opportunity to witness World Cup destiny unfold at a fraction of the usual cost.  

With a place in the World Cup on the line, emotions will run deep when the FIFA 2026 Play-Off Tournament kicks off on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at Akron Stadium, with Jamaica facing minnows New Caledonia in the Path One semifinal. The winner will return to the same venue on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. to face DR Congo for a coveted spot in the tournament, which kicks off across Mexico, Canada and the United States in June. (Jamaica has qualified for the World Cup only once, in 1998, while it would be a first appearance for either New Caledonia or DR Congo.)

Up north in Monterrey, Bolivia takes on Suriname in the Path Two semifinal on March 26 at Estadio BBVA, with the winner advancing to face Iraq five days later for another remaining World Cup place.

For local soccer fans, the playoff tournament presents an opportunity. While tickets for the main World Cup matches have been subject to FIFA’s dynamic pricing system — with some remaining seats reaching as high as US$8,500 — prices for the playoff games in Guadalajara are remarkably accessible.  Tickets for the March 26 semifinal at the Akron Stadium are available for just 200 pesos (US$11.30), while the March 31 final is priced at 300 pesos (US$16.95). Tickets can be purchased through FIFA’s official platform at www.fifa.com/tickets.

The playoff tournament also serves as a crucial dress rehearsal for both host cities. The Akron Stadium is scheduled to host four group-stage matches this summer, including Mexico’s game with South Korea on June 18.