The draw to determine the final four European qualifiers for the World Cup has been made
The Republic of Ireland’s reward for their remarkable feat in finishing second in their World Cup qualifying group is a play-off semi-final tie against the Czech Republic.
Troy Parrott inspired the Boys in Green to back-to-back wins against Portugal and Hungary over the recent international break as Ireland pipped the Hungarians to second place in Group F.
If they can edge out the Czechs on foreign soil, then they will have to overcome either Denmark or North Macedonia to clinch a place in the World Cup, although that game would be staged in Dublin.
Northern Ireland were handed a tough assignment. A semi-final clash at four-time winners Italy for the right to meet either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final.
Twelve teams secured their places in the play-off draw after coming second in their respective qualifying groups while the remaining four got in after topping their sections in the Nations League.
Forty-two teams have already secured their place in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
The 16 teams were placed in four separate paths with four teams in each. Each path is made up of two, one-legged semi-finals and then a one-off final.
The winners of the four finals go to the World Cup.
Path A
Semi-finals:
Italy v Northern Ireland
Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Final: Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina v Italy/Northern Ireland
Path B
Semi-finals:
Ukraine v Sweden
Poland v Albania
Final: Ukraine/Sweden v Poland/Albania
Path C
Semi-finals:
Turkey v Romania
Slovakia v Kosovo
Final: Slovakia/Kosovo v Turkey/Romania
Path D
Semi-finals:
Denmark v North Macedonia
Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
Final: Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland v Denmark/North Macedonia
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