ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The draw for the European playoffs that will award four more spots for the 2026 World Cup has been established in Zurich. The 12 runners-up – distributed into three pots according to the FIFA rankings – and the four teams drawn via the Nations League have been drawn into four different rounds. The semifinals (March 26) and the finals (March 31) will be played in a single match. If the score is tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played, and if the tie persists, penalties will decide the match.
PATH A
SEMI-FINALS
Italy vs. Northern Ireland
Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
FINAL Winner of Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina / Winner of Italy vs. Northern Ireland
PATH B
SEMI-FINALS
Ukraine vs. Sweden
Poland vs. Albania
FINAL
Winner of Ukraine vs. Sweden / Winner of Poland vs. Albania
PATH C
SEMI-FINALS
Turkey vs. Romania
Slovenia vs. Kosovo
FINAL
Winner of Slovakia vs. Kosovo / Winner of Turkey vs. Romania
PATH D
SEMI-FINALS Denmark vs. North Macedonia
Czech Republic vs. Ireland
FINAL
Winner of Czech Republic vs. Ireland / Winner of Denmark vs. North Macedonia
The intercontinental play-off pairings that will award two places at the 2026 World Cup were also drawn in Zurich. The matches will be played between March 23 and 31 in Guadalajara and Monterrey—among the designated venues for the next World Cup—with the schedule to be determined later.
SEMI-FINALS
New Caledonia vs. Jamaica
Bolivia vs. Suriname
FINALS
DR Congo – winner of New Caledonia vs. Jamaica
Iraq – winner of Bolivia vs. Suriname
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
