November 20 – FIFA has completed the play-off draws for the 2026 World Cup following the end of the initial qualification phase.
Four-time world champions Italy were drawn in Path A of the European play-offs and face a semi-final meeting with Northern Ireland. The winner of the that contest will player either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico next summer.
Path B boasts war-torn Ukraine and Poland as the home teams in the semi-finals against Sweden and Albania respectively. Path C consists of Turkey against Romania and Slovakia against Kosovo and Path D pits Denmark against North Macedonia and Czechia against Ireland.
The semi-final matches will take place on Thursday March 26, with the finals set for Tuesday March 31.
The draw was also made to decide who will host each of the four finals. Path A will be played in either Wales or Bosnia and Herzogvina, Path B will take place in Poland or Albania, Path C will be hosted by Slovakia or Kosovo, with Path D held in either Czechia or Ireland.
Meanwhile, the Mexican cities Guadalajara and Monterrey will host the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoff tournament in March, FIFA has confirmed
The mini-finals, to be played from March 23 to March 31, will determine the last two spots at the first 48-team World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year.
Both cities hosted matches at the 1986 World Cup. Guadalajara also staged matches during the 1970 World Cup and became the home-from-home for eventual winners Brazil.
“These iconic stadiums are the perfect stages for what promises to be a thrilling event filled with passion, drama and excitement,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a statement.
“This playoff tournament offers fans the chance to be part of history-making matches in world-class cities and venues ahead of the main event which will kick off less than three months later across Canada, Mexico and the United States.”
The inter-confederation draw sees New Caledonia (OFC) take on Jamaica (CONCACAF), with the winner to play Democratic Republic of Congo (CAF). The other side of the draw pits Bolivia (CONMEBOL) against Suriname (CONCACAF), with Iraq (AFC) awaiting the winner.
Contact the writers of this story, Samindra Kunti and Stuart Dick, at moc.l1763644405labto1763644405ofdlr1763644405owedi1763644405sni@o1763644405fni1763644405
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