Italy, the four-time World Cup champions, will face Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the European play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, following the draw held on 20 November 2025 at FIFA’s Home of Football in Zurich. Former internationals Marco Materazzi and Martin Dahlin conducted the ceremony.
If Italy progress from the semi-final on 26 March 2026, they will meet either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final five days later. The Azzurri will be keen to avoid a repeat of their 2022 heartbreak, when they were eliminated in the play-offs and failed to reach Qatar.
Key ties from the European play-off draw
One of the standout matches sees war-torn Ukraine face a talented Sweden side, potentially featuring Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres.
The winner of that tie will meet either Poland or Albania for a place at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Republic of Ireland, who sealed their play-off spot with Troy Parrott’s late winner in a 3–2 victory in Hungary on Sunday, will travel to the Czech Republic.
Whoever wins that match will host the victor of the Denmark v North Macedonia semi-final.
Turkey have been drawn against Romania, surprise quarter-finalists the last time the World Cup was staged in the United States in 1994.
The winner will then face either Slovakia or Kosovo, the latter seeking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.
Inter-continental play-offs
In the inter-continental play-offs, New Caledonia continue their bid for a first-ever World Cup appearance with a match against Jamaica. The winner will take on the seeded Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bolivia will meet Suriname — another nation chasing a debut at football’s biggest stage — with the victor progressing to a decisive clash against Iraq.
