UEFA Reveals Play-off Draw for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

UEFA organized the play-off draw at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, with Italian legend Marco Materazzi and Swedish star Kenneth Andersson Dahlin revealing the matchups. Sixteen teams will compete for four spots through semi-finals and finals.

Notable matchups include Italy vs. Northern Ireland/Wales, Ukraine/Sweden vs.

Poland, Turkey vs. Romania/Slovakia, and Denmark vs.

North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Ireland. The play-offs will feature single-leg knockout matches, with the final set for March 31, 2026, determining the last four European nations to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.