European Play-Off for World Cup Qualification 2026: Draw Results and Match Pathways
Details of the European Play-Off for World Cup Qualification
The draw for the European play-off for World Cup qualification took place on Thursday at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Based on FIFA rankings, the 16 participating European teams were divided into four pots and assigned to four different play-off paths that will determine the final four qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How the European Play-Off for World Cup Qualification Works
The draw begins with Pot 1 and ends with Pot 4. Each pot distributes teams into semi-final slots across four play-off paths. The final match of every path will be hosted by the team listed first in the draw.
Results of the European Play-Off for World Cup Qualification Draw
🔹 Path 1
Semi-final 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
🔹 Path 2
Semi-final 1: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final 2: Poland vs Albania
🔹 Path 3
Semi-final 1: Türkiye vs Romania
Semi-final 2: Slovakia vs Kosovo
🔹 Path 4
Semi-final 1: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final 2: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
When Will the Matches Take Place?
Play-off matches are scheduled during the international break in March 2026. The winners of the four final matches will secure the remaining European spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the total number of UEFA-qualified teams to 26.
The draw for the first round of the World Cup finals will be held on December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The tournament itself will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities.
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