Confirmed World Cup 2026 playoffs
Path A
SF1: Italy v Northern Ireland
SF2: Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Path B
SF3: Ukraine v Sweden
SF4: Poland v Albania
Path C
SF5: Turkey v Romania
SF6: Slovakia v Kosovo
Path D
SF7: Denmark v North Macedonia
SF8: Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
Draw for the finals:
Winner of SF2 (Wales Bosnia-Herzegovina) at home v winner of SF1 (Italy v Northern Ireland).
Winner of SF3: (Ukraine and Sweden) at home v winner of SF4 (Poland v Albania).
Winner of SF 6 (Slovakia v Kosovo v winner of SF5 (Turkey v Romania)
Winner of SF8 (Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland) at home v winner of SF7 (Denmark v North Macedonia).
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Updated at 07.58 EST
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Nick Ames has broken this all down, so hopefully it makes sense …
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More on that potential playoff between Ukraine and Poland. If Ukraine beat Sweden and Poland beat Albania in the semi-finals, there will have to be a debate over where the final is played – Ukraine would be the designated hosts of the final.
Ukraine have played the majority of their home fixtures in Poland since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. They played Belgium in the Nations League playoffs in Murcia, Spain, in March but got only a fraction of the crowd they could get in Poland, where many of the country’s refugees live.
Would they have to find another neutral venue in Europe – tough at such short notice after the semis – or try to split a Polish stadium 50/50? That would be quite the sight.
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Updated at 08.24 EST
World Cup draw proper: The tournament will take shape on Friday 5 December in Washington DC, when the 42 already-qualified teams will learn who they will be facing in the group stage.
Each of the six remaining playoff routes will also be assigned their places in the groups.
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Confirmed dates: The European semi-finals will take place on Thursday 26 March, with the finals the following Tuesday 31 March.
As for the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico, the semi-finals are slated for 23 March and the finals for 31 March.
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Thanks Luke. Let’s just rattle through what this means for those involved.
Wales will host their final playoff against Italy or Northern Ireland if they get through their semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina
Ukraine could face neighbours Poland for a spot at the World Cup if they both get through their semi-finals
The Republic of Ireland could host Denmark in the final, a repeat of the 2018 World Cup playoff that the Danes stormed through
Italy might have to go through a couple of UK teams to reach their first World Cup finals since 2014
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That’s all from me, congratulations in advance to everyone. Billy Munday is here to take up the baton.
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“Sweden …” writes Ben “… have been utterly woeful, but come March when you can reasonably expect a fully fit and firing Gyökeres, Isak, Kulesevski et al – playing Ukraine on neutral territory and then Poland, they’re remarkably within reach of the Biggest Of Cups despite it all.”
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“Please check your mobile phones for a text message regarding your transportation back to the airport,” says a voice over the Fifa feed. I don’t think they mean us.
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“As an Irishman,” emails Justin, “I was hoping for the Czechs, but fearing that Infantino, Trump, and Orbán would announce that after a longish VAR review, they’d spotted an offside on Troy Parrott’s third goal on Sunday. It might still happen!”
C’est Troy bien. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 07.53 EST
Confirmed World Cup 2026 playoffs
Path A
SF1: Italy v Northern Ireland
SF2: Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Path B
SF3: Ukraine v Sweden
SF4: Poland v Albania
Path C
SF5: Turkey v Romania
SF6: Slovakia v Kosovo
Path D
SF7: Denmark v North Macedonia
SF8: Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
Draw for the finals:
Winner of SF2 (Wales Bosnia-Herzegovina) at home v winner of SF1 (Italy v Northern Ireland).
Winner of SF3: (Ukraine and Sweden) at home v winner of SF4 (Poland v Albania).
Winner of SF 6 (Slovakia v Kosovo v winner of SF5 (Turkey v Romania)
Winner of SF8 (Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland) at home v winner of SF7 (Denmark v North Macedonia).
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Updated at 07.58 EST
Denmark v North Macedonia in Path D.
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Turkey v Romania in Path C, semi-final 5.
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Updated at 07.40 EST
Ukraine v Sweden in Path B.
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Italy v Northern Ireland
Confirmed in Path A.
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Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
Confirmed in Path D.
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Slovakia v Kosovo in Path C.
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Poland v Albania in Path B.
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Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Confirmed in semi-final No 2, Path A.
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Updated at 07.36 EST
Czech Republic host semi-final 8 in Path D.
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Slovakia home in semi-final 6, Path C.
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Poland home in semi-final 4, Path B.
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Wales are the first team drawn from Pot 2, they will host semi-final 2, in Path A.
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Denmark host their semi-final in Path D.
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Turkey host semi-final 5, in Path C.
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Updated at 07.32 EST
Ukraine host semi-final 3, in Path B.
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Italy are drawn first. They are in Path A, hosting a semi-final at home.
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OK. Here we go. Pot 1 first.
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The Sweden legend Martin Dahlin is here, too!
Martin Dahlin of Sweden in 1989. Photograph: Ben Radford/Getty ImagesShare
“It’s a memory we never forget. I’m very very proud,” says special guest Marco Materazzi, of winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
Special memories. Photograph: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 07.27 EST
Teams in Pot 1 will be drawn against those in Pot 4, leaving the titans of Pot 2 to take on the giants of Pot 3.
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The pots for the Uefa section of the World Cup playoff draw:
Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine.
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo.
Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland.
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Updated at 07.24 EST
“Welcome, welcome to everyone,” says Infantino.
“We’ve seen some incredible images in the last days.
“Remember, football unites the world. Enjoy.”
Thanks, Gianni!
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Updated at 07.24 EST
Apols, I initially had the Path 2 final wrong below. It is of course: Iraq v Bolivia or Suriname.
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Updated at 07.22 EST
Here we go then. The Uefa section of the playoff draw has officially begun, and the draw itself is moments away, after a few more pleasantries.
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Fifa are now showing a montage about Mexico. I know all you Irish and Welsh fans are enjoying it.
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Fifa World Cup 2026: confirmed international playoff draw
Path 1 semi final: New Caledonia v Jamaica
Path 1 final: Congo DR v New Caledonia or Jamaica
Path 2 semi-final: Bolivia v Suriname
Path 2 final: Iraq v Bolivia or Suriname
The matches will take place in Mexico, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, both hosts cities for the tournament proper.
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Updated at 07.21 EST
Bolivia, who beat Brazil on the final matchday, will face Suriname in the Path 2 semi-final.
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New Caledonia v Jamaica is the semi-final in Path 1. The winner of that tie plays Congo DR for a place at the tournament.
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Congo DR are the first name out of the hat, and will be in the final of Path 1.
Iraq, consequently, are in the final of Path 2.
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Updated at 07.12 EST
So in this international draw, Iraq and DR Congo are seeded, the other four: Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname and New Caledonia, have to play each other to get to the “final”.
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It’s Christian Karembeu! He was born in New Caledonia, who are in the international draw and could make it to the World Cup for the first time.
“Obviously we need to play two games … hopefully they can make us dream,” says the 1998 World Cup winner with France.
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“It is a great pleasure to have you here in the beautiful city of Zurich,” says Gianni Infantino. “It will be the greatest World Cup ever.
“It will be 104 Superbowls in one month … we’ll have 7m in the stadiums, and 6bn watching at home.
“I wish you the very best of luck in the draw … thanks for being here and welcome, again, to Fifa.”
Gianni Infantino’s catalogue pose. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 07.06 EST
Anyway, the draw is under way, and Melanie Winiger is our host.
Gianluigi Buffon and and Italy’s coach Gennaro Gattuso. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 07.04 EST
“I’ve just realised there is a possibility that Republic of Ireland play Northern Ireland in Dublin in a friendly in March four days after both sides World Cup dreams are over,” writes Fergus. “The most depressing game of international football that could ever be played.”
Keep the faith.
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Updated at 07.02 EST
“Hi Luke,” emails Paul. “As an Ireland fan, I was tempted to go full Partridge and book accommodation in the sleepy Beskydy/Moravian-Silesian foothills, exactly equidistant between Poznan, Prague and Bratislava. But I’m taking my chances we get Wales”
Hotels in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids have presumably not seen an uptick in bookings for next March. Photograph: isifa Image Service s r o/AlamyShare
Updated at 06.50 EST
And in more World Cup reading, here is Will Unwin on Curaçao’s progress to the World Cup under Dick Advocaat. The Caribbean island nation will be the smallest ever to play at the Fifa World Cup.
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‘I was on my knees on the living room floor’
Scotland fans describe their experiences during the wild 4-2 win against Denmark on Tuesday:
And here is our reporter Ewan Murray on how Steve Clarke hopes Scotland’s qualification will inspire the next generation:
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Updated at 06.41 EST
Here is some reading on how Republic of Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland made it into the playoffs. Plus a bonus Scotland match report after they sealed the place at the World Cup in dramatic style.
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“As an ROI supporter, I hope we get a home match against a theoretically weaker side,” writes Martin. “I dream of beating Spain in the final. I fear it’s all going to end in tears, starting about an hour from now.”
Toto Schillaci in 1990. Photograph: Daniel García/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
“I enjoy a long preamble as much as the next person,” writes Ruairi. “But just wondering if you have any insight as to when the actual draw takes place. It’s being billed as 12.00 but in reality is that when 45 minutes of Fifa Family-approved waffle begins? I want the exact time when we see someone in the Figo/Seedorf/Kluivert mold get his hands on some balls (not like that).”
Thanks Ruairi. I have no insight, I just work here. Presuming the pleasantries last for 10minutes, and then they do the international draw, I’ll guess 12.25pm UK time for the European draw.
Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino. Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty ImagesShareLibby Brooks
The prognosis from the north Glasgow primary schools squad had been bleak. “Everybody says Scotland are going to get pumped,” my eight-year told me as he left football training on Tuesday evening, with a realism born of experience even over his short life.
But three hours later, Scotland fans across the nation and beyond were catapulted beyond euphoria as their team qualified for the men’s football World Cup for the first time in more than a quarter of a century after a bum-squeaking, breathtaking 4-2 win against Denmark at Hampden.
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“Don’t think a “local derby” in a noisy Principality Stadium is what Ireland want,” writes John. “Wales will have the measure of us there. It’s got to be the Czech Republic or Slovakia. As a spring destination, Prague definitely has the edge over Bratislava, however. So the Czechs it is!”
Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Personally, I’d rather try Bratislava. I’ve been to Prague and wasn’t all that keen.
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“As someone who supports both Irish teams (controversial, I know), it’s the hope that I fear,” emails Phil.
That’s deep. Thanks Phil. Keep your expectations low, then you are less likely to be disappointed.
Ray Houghton after scoring for Republic of Ireland against Italy in 1994. Photograph: Billy Strickland/ALLSPORTShare
Note: the international playoff draw will take place before the Uefa bit. It all kicks off in about an hour.
The teams in the international draw are: Iraq, DR Congo, Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname and New Caledonia.
Iraq and DR Congo are seeded, the other four are not. The two CONCACAF teams must be in separate “paths”.
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Updated at 06.07 EST
Republic of Ireland fans, Wales fans, Northern Ireland fans. What are your hopes, dreams and fears? Mail me
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Updated at 05.55 EST
So theoretically, the Uefa draw could end up looking like this:
Italy v Northern Ireland
Denmark v Sweden
Turkey v Romania
Ukraine v North Macedonia
Wales v Republic of Ireland
Poland v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Czech Republic v Kosovo
Slovakia v Albania
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Updated at 06.05 EST
Preamble
Scotland booked their plane tickets to the good ol’ US of A with a sensational 4-2 win against Denmark on Tuesday. But Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales will all need to negotiate a playoff in March if they are to join Steve Clarke’s side at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America.
The format of the imminent draw is simple. There are four places at the tournament on offer and 16 teams in the playoffs: 12 runners-up from the World Cup qualifying groups, and four teams who qualified via the Nations League. Anyone hoping to make the tournament must win a “semi-final” and “final”.
Pots 1 and 2 and seeded teams, and Pots 3 and 4 and unseeded. The teams in Pots 1 and 2 get a home semi-final. Teams from Pot 1 will be drawn against teams from Pot 4, so it’s Pot 2 v Pot 3 in the other four matches. Each “path” to the World Cup will include a team from each pot.
Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine.
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo.
Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland.
The draw commences at 12pm UK time.
Let’s get ready to rumble!
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