The European playoff matches of the World Cup preliminaries are announced. Italy faces Northern Ireland and Ukraine faces Sweden.
World Cup preliminaries European play-off matches (the former will play at home; each path will produce one main draw spot)
[Path A]
Semi-final 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Final: Semi-final 2 winner vs Semi-final 1 winner
[Path B]
Semi-final 1: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final 2: Poland vs Albania;
Final: Semi-final 1 winner vs Semi-final 2 Winner
[Path C]
Semi-final 1: Turkey vs. Romania
Semi-final 2: Slovakia vs. Kosovo;
Final: Semi-final 2 winner vs. Semi-final 1 winner
[Path D]
Semi-final 1: Denmark vs. North Macedonia
Semi-final 2: Czech Republic vs. Ireland;
Final: winner of semi-final 2 vs. winner of semi-final 1
European preliminaries play-off format
The play-offs adopt a single-game knockout system.
Each path consists of 2 semi-finals and 1 final. The winner of the final will advance to the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup.
In the semi-finals, the seeded teams will play at home, and the home and away qualifications for the final will be determined by drawing lots.
The semi-finals will be held on March 26, 2026, and the finals will be held on March 31, 2026.
European preliminaries play-off draws and world rankings
First pot (seeded teams): Italy (12), Denmark (21), Turkey (25), Ukraine (28)
Second pot (seeded teams): Bo England (31), Wales (32), Czech Republic (44), Slovakia (45)
Third pot (unseeded team): Ireland (59), Albania (63), Bosnia and Herzegovina (71), Kosovo (80)
Four Pot (non-seeded teams): Sweden (43), Romania (47), North Macedonia (65), Northern Ireland (69)
How the World Cup European qualifying play-off teams are generated
Advance through the World Cup European qualifying group second place: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Ireland, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, Wales
Promoted through the UEFA Nations League: Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia