Explore the latest developments concerning European play-off draw.
European play-off draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The play-off draw on Thursday 20 November will set the four paths which will ultimately decide the final four European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The European play-off draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on Thursday 20 November at FIFA headquarters, with the ceremony beginning at 13:00 CET.
The draw will set the eight play-off semi-finals and four potential final match-ups, all of which will be played in March 2026.
Sixteen teams participate in the European play-offs: 12 runners-up from the European Qualifiers group stage plus four teams that have qualified via the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.
Confirmed in play-offs as European Qualifiers group runners-upAlbania, Czechia, Italy, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Ukraine
How will World Cup play-offs be determined?
The draw for the World Cup play-offs takes place on Thursday, and the results on Tuesday are crucial for Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and, potentially, Scotland.
We know 10 of the 16 teams who will be in the play-offs, but who fills the remaining places will determine the draw pots – and who gets home advantage in the semi-finals.
Here's how the draw is shaping up, and how the four nations could be affected…
Wales need a victory over North Macedonia to secure a home semi-final in the World Cup play-offs
There are four places to be won, through four play-off paths each containing four teams with one-legged semi-finals and finals.
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Who qualifies for the World Cup play-offs?
For the first time, UEFA will have 16 representatives at the World Cup – 12 will qualify automatically, with 16 whittled down to four through a play-off route which includes four teams eligible through their Nations League performance
Perplexed by the World Cup play-offs ahead of this week's draw? You're probably not the only one.
Gone are the days when UEFA qualifying group winners reached the finals, and the second-placed teams played each other to join them.
For the second cycle in a row, countries that have finished outside the top two of their UEFA qualifying group but performed well in the 2024/25 Nations League tournament will get a second bite of the cherry – but they will claim two extra play-off spots compared to the 2022 World Cup.
For more detailed information, explore updates concerning European play-off draw.
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