The draw for the 2026 World Cup play-offs has been made with the competing teams discovering their fate.
Wales, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Italy were among the European sides in the draw, for the play-off fixtures that will take place in March 2026.
The Republic of Ireland head into the play-offs buoyed by wins over Portugal and Hungary this month, with the latter success – sealed by Troy Parrott’s 96th-minute hat-trick goal – securing a play-off tie with Czechia in the new year. Turkey or await the winners
Wales reward for a runners-up finish to Belgium in Group J is a home tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their semi-final. The winner of that tie will face Italy or Northern Ireland in the final.
Four-time world champions Italy are bidding to make the World Cup for the first time since 2014, after missing the last two editions.
European World Cup play-offs – full draw
Path A: Italy vs Northern Ireland, Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Path B: Ukraine vs Sweden, Poland vs Albania
Path C: Turkey vs Romania, Slovakia vs Kosovo
Path D: Denmark vs North Macedonia, Czechia vs Republic of Ireland
What are the dates for the World Cup play-offs?
The semi-finals are scheduled to kick off on March 26, 2026, with the finals five days later.
Venues must be confirmed by December 19, 2025.
What about the inter-continental play-off draw?
In the inter-continental draw, Jamaica will take on New Caledonia in the semi-final for path one. The victors of that tie will progress to a final against DR Congo, who earn a bye to the final due to their seeding.
In path two, Bolivia face Suriname in the semi-final for the chance to take on Iraq in the final. The inter-continental play-offs will be played in North America.
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