The draw for the European and international playoffs of the 2026 World Cup, held this Thursday in Zurich, paired Italy, four-time World Cup champions, with Northern Ireland. THE Blue must overcome the draw at home against Northern Ireland will then play a final against the winner of Wales – Bosnia-Herzegovina if they want to return to the tournament after two consecutive defeats in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. The other three teams will face Ukraine in the semi-final with Sweden, whose winner will play a place with the winner of Poland – Albania; Turkey with Romania and Slovakia with Kosovo; and Denmark with North Macedonia and the Czech Republic with Ireland.
Should Italy defeat Northern Ireland, they will have to play the final in a match in Wales or Bosnia to qualify for the championship. In the second draw, the decisive match will be played at home against Sweden or Ukraine, even if the Zbirna It does not celebrate its matches in its country due to the Russian invasion, which began in February 2022. Ukraine plays its matches in Poland, so it may be that the team led by Serhiy Rebrov will face Poland – if they beat Albania – at home on Polish territory. In the third framework, the final will take place in Slovakia or Kosovo; in the fourth, in the Czech Republic or Ireland. The eight semi-finals will be played on March 26th, while the final on the 31st of the same month.
In total, 22 teams will compete for the remaining places in the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States at the end of March, which will include 48 teams, including Luis de la Fuente’s Spain after an almost perfect qualifying phase.
(Breaking news. There will be an extension soon.)
