World European qualifying play-offs: Italy vs Northern Ireland, Ukraine vs Sweden, Denmark vs North Macedonia

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

source:ty so 7m cn