Europe’s new qualifying format for the 2026 World Cup includes a 16-team second round, with four pods of four teams fighting for UEFA’s final spots in next summer’s tournament.
Four-time champion Italy finds itself in the playoffs and will need to win two matches to avoid missing out on a third consecutive World Cup. UEFA has 16 places in the 2026 World Cup, one-third of the expanded field and 12 teams have already secured their spots.
The semifinals will be played on March 26, 2026, with the higher-ranked teams hosting and the final in each bracket set for March 31.
Here’s what to know for the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoffs:
UEFA World Cup playoffs bracket, qualifiers for 2026
Path A
Semifinals – March 26, 2026
Northern Ireland at Italy
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Wales
Final – March 31, 2026
Northern Ireland/Italy winner at Bosnia and Herzegovia/Wales winner
Path B
Semifinals – March 26, 2026
Sweden at Ukraine
Albania at Poland
Final – March 31, 2026
Albania/Poland winner at Sweden/Ukraine winner
Path C
Semifinals – March 26, 2026
Romania at Turkey
Kosovo at Slovakia
Final – March 31, 2026
Romania/Turkey winner at Kosovo/Slovakia winner
Path D
Semifinals – March 26, 2026
North Macedonia at Denmark
Republic of Ireland at Czechia
Final – March 31, 2026
North Macedonia/Denmark winner at Republic of Ireland/Czechia winner
When is the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff?
All eight semifinals will be played on March 26, 2026, and the four finals on March 31.
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