The battle for Europe’s final spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup took shape on Thursday as UEFA conducted the play-off draw at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich.
The ceremony, led by Italian legend Marco Materazzi and Swedish star Kennet Andersson Dahlin, outlined how sixteen teams will compete for just four tickets to the global tournament. Each path features two semi-finals and a final, with all matches played as single-leg encounters, leaving no room for error.
Play-off Paths:
- Path A: Italy vs. Northern Ireland | Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Path B: Ukraine vs. Sweden | Poland vs. Albania
- Path C: Turkey vs. Romania | Slovakia vs. Kosovo
- Path D: Denmark vs. North Macedonia | Czech Republic vs. Ireland
Teams were seeded based on their latest world rankings. Top seeds include Italy (12), Denmark (21), Turkey (25), and Ukraine (28). Second seeds are Poland (31), Wales (32), Czech Republic (44), and Slovakia (45). The third tier features Ireland (59), Albania (63), Bosnia and Herzegovina (71), and Kosovo (80). Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, and Northern Ireland, entering via the UEFA Nations League, make up the fourth tier.
How the UEFA Play-offs Work:
The sixteen-team line-up comprises twelve runners-up from European qualifying groups and four teams advancing through the Nations League pathway. Each group of four features two semi-finals and a final. The top seed hosts the fourth seed, and the second seed hosts the third. The host of each final is determined by a separate draw. Matches tied after 90 minutes go to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
The semi-finals are scheduled for March 26, 2026, with the finals taking place on March 31. The play-offs will decide the last four European nations to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
