World Cup 2026 Playoff Draw Delivers Blockbuster Matchups: Italy Faces Northern Ireland.

Zurich, Switzerland – The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has become significantly clearer following the completion of the playoff draw held at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The draw, meticulously conducted, determined the paths for both the intercontinental playoffs and the crucial UEFA playoffs, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes encounters in March 2026.

The intercontinental playoffs, featuring six nations vying for two coveted spots, saw Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo receive byes directly into the finals of their respective paths, a testament to their higher FIFA rankings. Congo will await the winner of the Path 1 semifinal between New Caledonia and Jamaica, while Iraq will face the victor of the Path 2 clash between Bolivia and Suriname.

The UEFA playoff draw, however, garnered particular attention, primarily due to the presence of several European powerhouses desperately seeking to secure their place in the expanded 48-team World Cup. Twelve runners-up from the European qualifying groups were divided into four paths, each offering a single ticket to the prestigious tournament. The draw has produced a series of compelling matchups, guaranteeing intense competition and dramatic storylines.

The most eye-catching fixture sees four-time World Cup champions Italy pitted against Northern Ireland in Path A. Italy, a nation steeped in footballing history, are looking to avoid a repeat of their failure to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Their recent form has been inconsistent, and the pressure to qualify for 2026 will be immense. They finished second in their qualifying group behind a dominant England side, showcasing both their attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. Key players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, Nicolo Barella in midfield, and Federico Chiesa in attack will be crucial to their hopes.

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Northern Ireland, on the other hand, enter the playoff as underdogs, but with a reputation for resilience and tactical discipline. They finished third in their qualifying group, behind Denmark and Slovenia, and will be aiming to cause a major upset against the Azzurri. Their squad is built on a strong defensive foundation, led by experienced players like Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart. Their attacking threat is spearheaded by Conor Washington and Josh Magennis, who will need to be clinical in front of goal if they are to stand a chance.

The other semifinal in Path A sees Wales take on Bosnia & Herzegovina. Wales, buoyed by their recent qualification for the 2022 World Cup – their first appearance since 1958 – will be eager to continue their momentum. They finished second in their qualifying group, behind Croatia, and possess a squad brimming with talent, including the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Brennan Johnson. Their passionate fans will undoubtedly create a fervent atmosphere at home, giving them a significant advantage.

Bosnia & Herzegovina, however, are no pushovers. They finished fourth in their qualifying group, behind Portugal, Slovakia, and Luxembourg, but boast a squad with considerable experience and quality. Veteran striker Edin Dzeko remains a key figure, and his goals will be vital to their chances of progressing. The midfield is anchored by Miralem Pjanic, whose creativity and passing range can unlock even the most stubborn defenses.

Path B features a potentially explosive clash between Ukraine and Sweden. Ukraine, despite the ongoing political turmoil in their country, have shown remarkable resilience and determination on the football pitch. They finished third in their qualifying group, behind England and Italy, but their performances have been consistently impressive. The team is led by talented players such as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mykhailo Mudryk, who provide both creativity and dynamism in midfield and attack.

Sweden, a nation with a rich footballing tradition, finished third in their qualifying group, behind Belgium and Austria, and will be aiming to bounce back from their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Their squad boasts a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, including Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski. Their organized defense and counter-attacking prowess make them a dangerous opponent for any team.

The other semifinal in Path B sees Poland face Albania. Poland, led by their talismanic captain Robert Lewandowski, are perennial contenders on the international stage. They finished third in their qualifying group, behind the Czech Republic and Albania, and will be relying heavily on Lewandowski’s goals to propel them to victory. Their squad also includes talented players such as Piotr Zielinski and Arkadiusz Milik, who provide additional attacking firepower.

Albania, however, have emerged as a dark horse in recent years, showcasing a well-organized defense and a disciplined approach to the game. They finished second in their qualifying group, behind the Czech Republic, and will be aiming to cause a major upset against Poland. Their squad is built on a solid defensive foundation, led by experienced players like Elseid Hysaj and Berat Djimsiti.

Path C sees Turkey take on Romania in a fascinating encounter. Turkey, known for their passionate fans and attacking flair, finished fourth in their qualifying group, behind Croatia, Wales, Armenia and Latvia, and will be eager to prove their credentials on the international stage. Their squad boasts a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, including Hakan Calhanoglu and Cengiz Under.

Romania, on the other hand, finished fourth in their qualifying group, behind Switzerland, Romania, Israel, Belarus, and Kosovo, and will be aiming to recapture the glory days of their footballing past. Their squad is built on a strong defensive foundation, led by experienced players like Vlad Chiriches and Cristian Sapunaru.

The other semifinal in Path C sees Slovakia face Kosovo. Slovakia, known for their organized defense and tactical discipline, finished third in their qualifying group, behind Portugal and Iceland, and will be aiming to secure their place in the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Their squad is led by experienced players such as Marek Hamsik and Juraj Kucka.

Kosovo, however, have emerged as a promising nation in recent years, showcasing a vibrant attacking style and a youthful enthusiasm. They finished fifth in their qualifying group, behind Romania, Switzerland, Israel, Belarus, and Andorra, but their performances have been consistently improving. Their squad includes talented players such as Milot Rashica and Vedat Muriqi.

Path D features a Nordic derby between Denmark and North Macedonia. Denmark, semi-finalists at the European Championships in 2021, are a well-established force in European football. They finished second in their qualifying group, behind Slovenia, and will be aiming to replicate their success on the world stage. Their squad is led by experienced players such as Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel.

North Macedonia, however, caused a major upset by eliminating Italy in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup, and they will be hoping to repeat that feat against Denmark. They finished fourth in their qualifying group, behind England, Italy, Ukraine, and Malta, but their squad is full of determined players who are capable of causing problems for any team.

The other semifinal in Path D sees the Czech Republic face the Republic of Ireland. The Czech Republic, known for their technical ability and attacking flair, finished third in their qualifying group, behind Albania and Poland, and will be aiming to secure their place in the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Their squad includes talented players such as Patrik Schick and Adam Hlozek.

The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, finished fourth in their qualifying group, behind France, Netherlands, Greece, and Gibraltar, and will be aiming to recapture the glory days of their footballing past. Their squad is built on a strong defensive foundation, led by experienced players like Seamus Coleman and Shane Duffy.

The playoff matches are scheduled to take place in March 2026, with Mexico serving as the host nation for the intercontinental playoffs. The home teams for the UEFA playoff semifinals will be drawn from Pot 1 and Pot 2, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings. The winners of each path will secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining the already qualified nations in the quest for footballing glory. The stage is set for a thrilling series of encounters that will determine the final participants in the world’s most prestigious football tournament.

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Ahmad Zein Salamo

Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth.

His reporting combines tactical understanding with a human perspective, highlighting not only the drama on the pitch but also the stories that shape the sport beyond it. From Champions League nights to grassroots football, Ahmad’s work reflects a true love for the beautiful game and a commitment to bringing readers closer to the action.

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