The road to the 2026 World Cup for several European nations became clearer today following the official playoff draw. The most intriguing scenario could see a home nations clash in Cardiff for a finals berth, but significant hurdles must first be cleared in March.
Wales, riding high after a resounding 7-1 victory in their final qualifier, will host Bosnia and Herzegovina in their semi-final. Should they advance, they would welcome the winner of another semi-final to the Welsh capital. That opponent could be Northern Ireland, but only if they can pull off a major upset away to Italy. Despite the Italians’ recent struggles, they remain formidable favourites on home soil.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland will travel to face the Czech Republic. The Irish squad heads into the playoffs with momentum, having secured two crucial wins in their final qualifying matches. A victory in Prague would earn them a home final against either Denmark or North Macedonia, offering a clear path to what would be their first World Cup appearance in over two decades.
The European playoffs will determine four qualifiers for the expanded 2026 tournament. The semi-finals are scheduled for March 26th, with the decisive finals to follow five days later.
In other playoff brackets, Ukraine will meet Sweden, with the winner to host either Poland or Albania. The final pathway will see Slovakia or Kosovo face off against Turkey or Romania for a World Cup spot.
The draw also set the pairings for the separate inter-confederation playoffs, where nations from outside Europe will compete. Jamaica, now seeking a new manager, will face New Caledonia, with the winner to play the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the other bracket, Bolivia meets Suriname, with Iraq awaiting the victor. These matches will be staged in Mexico next March.