European teams learned their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after UEFA conducted the play-off draw at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. The ceremony featured Italian legend Marco Materazzi and Swedish star Kennet Andersson Dahlin.
Sixteen nations will compete for just four World Cup spots. The tournament features four distinct paths. Each path contains two single-leg semi-finals and one final. All matches are knockout games with no second chances.
Play-off Path Matchups
Path A: Italy faces Northern Ireland while Wales takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Path B: Ukraine meets Sweden and Poland battles Albania.
Path C: Turkey hosts Romania, with Slovakia confronting Kosovo.
Path D: Denmark clashes with North Macedonia as the Czech Republic faces Ireland.
Tournament Structure and Seeding
Teams were seeded using FIFA world rankings:
- Top seeds: Italy (12), Denmark (21), Turkey (25), Ukraine (28)
- Second seeds: Poland (31), Wales (32), Czech Republic (44), Slovakia (45)
- Third seeds: Ireland (59), Albania (63), Bosnia & Herzegovina (71), Kosovo (80)
- Fourth seeds: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland (via Nations League)
The play-offs combine twelve group runners-up from European qualifiers with four Nations League teams. In each path’s semi-finals, top seeds host fourth seeds while second seeds welcome third seeds. A separate draw determines final hosts.
All matches are single-leg eliminations. Tied games proceed to extra time and penalties if needed.
Key Tournament Dates
Semi-finals: March 26, 2026
Finals: March 31, 2026
These playoffs will determine Europe’s final four representatives at the 2026 World Cup.
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