World Cup 2026 play-offs draw: Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland discover opponents
Wales will host Bosnia and Herzegovina in a one-legged World Cup play-off semi-final and could face either Italy or Northern Ireland at home in the final.
Craig Bellamy’s side secured their place by finishing second behind Belgium in qualifying Group J and will be the home team for the one-off match and in the final should they get there.
Northern Ireland, who qualified through the Nations League, have been handed the difficult task of travelling to Italy for their play-off semi-final.
The Republic of Ireland, who booked their spot in dramatic fashion thanks to a last-gasp victory over Hungary, will play away in the Czech Republic in their semi-final.
The winner of that match will take on either Denmark or North Macedonia.
The semi-finals will take place on Thursday March 26 and the finals on Tuesday March 31 with kick-off times of 5pm or 7.45pm.
The winners of the four play-off finals qualify for the World Cup and complete the field of 16 European participants.
World Cup play-off draw:
Play-off Path A:
Semi-final: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Final: Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy/Northern Ireland
Play-off Path B:
Semi-final: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final: Poland vs Albania
Final: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania
Play-off Path C:
Semi-final: Turkey vs Romania
Semi-final: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final: Slovakia/Kosovo vs Turkey/Romania
Play-off Path D:
Semi-final: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Final: Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia
More to follow.
Who has qualified already for World Cup?
Forty-two teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup so far, with a list below:
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