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UEFA Playoff Paths: Who Will Secure the Final 4 Spots for FIFA World Cup 2026?

The race toward the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its most dramatic and unforgiving phase, particularly within Europe. While the expanded format of the tournament offers more opportunities than ever before, the UEFA playoff system remains a brutal proving ground where elite footballing nations must navigate high-pressure, winner-takes-all encounters. These playoffs are not merely an extension of qualification—they are a theatre of tension, tactical evolution, and psychological endurance. With four final spots available for European teams, the stakes could not be higher, and the narratives unfolding promise to define this generation of international football. At the heart of UEFA’s qualification structure lies a complex and innovative playoff design that blends traditional group-stage outcomes with performances in the UEFA Nations League. This dual-path system ensures that teams are rewarded for sustained excellence while also preserving opportunities for redemption. Twelve teams are ...
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Alexis Sánchez is in negotiations about returning to Marseille.

Alexis Sánchez (35) shone in his only season at Olympique de Marseille, scoring 18 goals in 44 games across all competitions. Despite conversations about staying with the club beyond the completion of his one-year contract, the Chilean international eventually returned to Italy to rejoin Inter Milan.

Twelve months, 33 appearances, four goals, and five assists later, Sánchez is once again a free agent after his contract with the Serie A club expired. L'Équipe knows he is currently in talks to return to Marseille on a free transfer this summer. Roberto De Zerbi, OM's new manager, has already spoken with the former Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United forward about a move, and his entourage is interested in the potential of returning to the Vélodrome.

However, there are impediments to a deal, particularly financial ones. When he left last summer, it was considered that having both Sánchez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be financially unattainable. Despite interest from Saudi Arabia, the Gabonese striker's continued presence at Les Phocéens may complicate any potential transfer. L'Équipe reports that Udinese, Sánchez's first club in Europe, is also interested in the Chilean.
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