World Cup 2026 Global and European Playoff Draw Results

The draw for the European and Global playoffs, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, was conducted today, Thursday, at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. This draw will determine the final six berths for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The European playoff semi-final matches are scheduled for March 26, 2026, with the finals taking place on March 31 of the same year. All these matches will be played as single-leg ties.

The draw featured four European paths. In Path 1, Italy will face Northern Ireland, while Wales will play Bosnia and Herzegovina. The winner of the Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match will host the final.

Path 2 will see Ukraine take on Sweden, and Poland face Albania. Path 3 includes Turkey against Romania, and Slovakia versus Kosovo.

In Path 4, Denmark will compete against North Macedonia, and the Czech Republic will play Ireland.

The Global playoff matches are set to be held from March 23 to March 31, 2026, in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey.

The semi-final matches include a clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica, and Bolivia against Suriname.

The Democratic Republic of Congo national team, which qualified directly for the final due to its higher ranking, awaits the winner of the New Caledonia vs. Jamaica match. Meanwhile, the Iraq national team will face the winner of the Bolivia vs. Suriname match.