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