Soccer-European playoff draw for 2026 World Cup

Following is the European playoff draw held on Thursday to decide the pathways that determine the four remaining European slots for the 2026 World Cup. Twelve group runners-up were placed in Pots 1-3 and seeded based on the FIFA world rankings while the four teams that advanced via the UEFA Nations League were placed in Pot 4.

The single-leg knockout matches will take place in March, with the semi-finals on March 26 and the finals on March 31. The higher seeded teams (mentioned first) will host the semis while a draw was made to see who hosts each final.

EUROPEAN PLAYOFF DRAW PATH A

Semi-final 1: Italy v Northern Ireland Semi-final 2: Wales v Bosnia & Herzegovina

Final: Winner of SF1 v Winner of SF2 (hosts) PATH B

Semi-final 3: Ukraine v Sweden Semi-final 4: Poland v Albania

Final: Winner of SF3 (hosts) v Winner of SF4 PATH C

Semi-final 5: Turkey v Romania Semi-final 6: Slovakia v Kosovo

Final: Winner of SF5 v Winner of SF6 (hosts) PATH D

Semi-final 7: Denmark v North Macedonia Semi-final 8: Czech Republic v Ireland

Final: Winner of SF7 v Winner of SF8 (hosts)

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