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Italy to face Northern Ireland in 2026 World Cup playoffs
Four-time World Cup winners Italy will face Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the European playoffs for the 2026 tournament, following the draw on Thursday.
If Italy get through that match, they will play the winner of Wales's semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In other eye-catching matchups, war-torn Ukraine will play a star-studded Sweden team that could feature Liverpool forward Alexander Isak and Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.
If the Ukrainians get past the Swedes, they will face the winner of Poland's match against Albania.
The Republic of Ireland must travel to the Czech Republic and the winner of that match will host the winner of the semi-final between Denmark and North Macedonia.
European play-off semi-final fixtures for the 2026 World Cup after Thursday's draw in Zurich:
Semi-finals
Path A
Italy v Northern Ireland
Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Path B
Ukraine v Sweden
Poland v Albania
Path C
Turkey v Romania
Slovakia v Kosovo
Path D
Denmark v North Macedonia
Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
Finals
Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina v Italy/Northern Ireland
Ukraine/Sweden v Poland/Albania
Slovakia/Kosovo v Turkey/Romania
Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland v Denmark/North Macedonia
Play-off semi-finals (single leg) to be played on Thursday, March 26, 2026
Play-off finals (single leg) on Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Following is the inter-confederation playoff tournament draw held on Thursday to decide the pathways that determine two slots for the 2026 World Cup.
Six teams from the AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and the OFC confederations will play in the inter-confederation playoff tournament in Guadalajara and Monterrey in March.
Seeded teams Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo will play in the two playoff finals, awaiting the winners from the two playoff semi-finals.
PLAYOFF TOURNAMENT DRAW
PATHWAY 1
Semi-final 1: New Caledonia v Jamaica
Final: Democratic Republic of Congo v Winner of SF1
PATHWAY 2
Semi-final 2: Bolivia v Suriname
Final: Iraq v Winner of SF2















