The path to the 2026 World Cup has become clearer following the official revelation of the play-off draw that will determine the final European qualifiers for the expanded tournament.
UEFA Play-off Structure and Key Matchups
The new qualifying format features a 16-team second round organized into four pods of four teams, each battling for one of UEFA's final spots at the 48-team World Cup. The semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, with the finals following on Tuesday, March 31. All matches will kick off at either 5pm or 7:45pm local time.
Four-time world champions Italy have been drawn against Northern Ireland in their play-off semi-final. The Azzurri will be desperate to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup after failing to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Wales will host Bosnia and Herzegovina in their one-legged semi-final clash. The winner of this encounter could potentially face either Italy or Northern Ireland at home in the final, giving the Welsh a significant advantage if they progress.
The Republic of Ireland faces a challenging away fixture against the Czech Republic in their semi-final. Should they overcome this hurdle, they would earn the right to host either Denmark or North Macedonia in the decisive final match.
Complete Play-off Paths and Inter-confederation Draw
The four play-off paths are structured as follows:
Play-off Path A:
Semi-final: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Final: Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy/Northern Ireland
Play-off Path B:
Semi-final: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final: Poland vs Albania
Final: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania
Play-off Path C:
Semi-final: Turkey vs Romania
Semi-final: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final: Slovakia/Kosovo vs Turkey/Romania
Play-off Path D:
Semi-final: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Final: Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia
The draw also included inter-confederation play-offs that will produce the final two teams for the 48-strong World Cup finals. Jamaica, who missed automatic qualification to Curacao, will face New Caledonia, with the winner taking on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final. Meanwhile, Bolivia and Suriname will clash for the right to face Iraq.
Road to the 2026 World Cup
The winners of the four play-off finals in March 2026 will complete the field of 16 European participants at the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format means more opportunities for nations, but the pressure remains intense for traditional powerhouses like Italy who cannot afford another qualification disappointment.
For Wales and the Republic of Ireland, the draw presents challenging but navigable paths to North America 2026. The one-legged semi-finals and potential home advantages in finals could prove decisive in these high-stakes encounters that will determine which nations book their tickets to world football's biggest stage.
