WC play-off, Europe: “Italy has a sitter, but still…

A second chance — and the last one. Those who failed to qualify directly will have an opportunity to reach the World Cup through the playoffs. As for the European teams, 12 group runners-up from the qualifiers still have a chance, along with four teams that earned their place based on their performance in the previous edition of the Nations League.

The procedure is as follows: these 16 teams will be placed into four mini-tournaments, each featuring one semifinal and one final. Only the winners will secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. At the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, the draw determined the semifinal pairings and projected final matchups for all four tournaments.

Playoff final pairings:

Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina – Italy/Northern Ireland

Ukraine/Sweden – Poland/Albania

Slovakia/so-called Kosovo* – Turkey/Romania

Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland – Denmark/Macedonia

A curious detail: none of the top-seeded teams will play at home in a potential final! The general impression is that Italy received a favorable semifinal draw, but after the traumatic experiences of the last two cycles—when they failed to reach either Russia or Qatar—they now face a potential final in Cardiff, in a hostile atmosphere and in front of packed stands!

With Gennaro Gattuso as manager, they have won five of six matches. First, they will face Northern Ireland, and then, in the final, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia surprised many in the qualifiers, but objectively speaking, it’s questionable whether they can eliminate Wales and then Italy.

Regarding the other teams, Macedonia has a very difficult path: Denmark awaits them first, and if they somehow pass, they’ll meet the winner of Czech Republic vs. Republic of Ireland. It’s unrealistic to expect two upsets from the southern neighbors… Albania, which finished its qualifying group ahead of Serbia, will first face Poland, and if by some miracle they beat Robert Lewandowski and company, they would then face the winner of Ukraine vs. Sweden — which does not seem likely.

Absurdity at its finest: Isak & Gyokeres could reach WC despite winning mere two points in the qualifiers?!

The playoff matches are scheduled for March 26 and 31.

Previously, the following European teams qualified directly for the World Cup: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and Scotland.