Country Could Qualify for World Cup Despite Losing 10 Games in Bizarre Scenario

A country still retains hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, despite losing 10 games during qualification.

The battle to be one of the 48 teams in North America next summer has intensified over the past week.

The United States, Canada and Mexico were assured of spots as the joint hosts, while several other countries have also secured qualification.

Europe will be the best-represented continent at the tournament, with UEFA guaranteed 16 places at the tournament.

Meanwhile, CAF have nine spots, AFC have eight representatives, and both CONMEBOL and CONCACAF will have six each.

For the first time, the OFC had a guaranteed spot, which was secured by New Zealand.

The final two places for the World Cup will be decided through an inter-confederation play-off.

Six teams will compete in the play-offs in March 2026, with the draw scheduled for November 20 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

So far, three countries have secured their place in that draw, including Bolivia, who lost an astonishing 10 games during qualification.

Bolivia before a recent friendly against South Korea (Image: Getty)

In South America, the 10 countries all play each other twice in one large group, with the top six teams qualifying for the World Cup.

Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay claimed those spots.

Bolivia, who managed just six wins and suffered 10 defeats, have advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs.

They will be joined by DR Congo, who defeated Nigeria on penalties, and Ofc representative New Caledonia.

An Asian country will also make the play-offs, alongside two nations from Concacaf.

For the play-offs themselves, the six teams will be split into two brackets of three.

The winner of each bracket will qualify for the World Cup.

Bolivia's head coach Oscar Villegas (Image: Getty)

The brackets will be seeded according to the FIFA Men's World Rankings, with the seeded teams advancing to the final to face the winner of the game between the unseeded teams.

FIFA has yet to officially confirm where the play-offs will be held, but it has been widely reported that Mexico will host the matches.

Monterrey and Guadalajara are expected to host two games each, giving both cities the opportunity to make final preparations ahead of the World Cup.

This summer, Mexico will become the first country to host the tournament three times, having previously held it in 1970 and 1986.

Although the 2026 World Cup will be shared with the United States and Canada, only three Mexican cities are set to host matches.