Sixteen European national football teams to battle for four World Cup spots in March playoffs

Sixteen nations will compete for the final four European places at the 2026 World Cup after FIFA conducted the qualifying playoff draw in Zurich on Thursday.

The single-elimination tournament begins on 26 March with eight semifinal matches across four brackets.

Winners advance to the finals, with victors securing qualification to the first 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The draw has pitted Italy versus Northern Ireland and Wales versus Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first bracket. In the second, Ukraine will face Sweden, while Poland is set to take on Albania.

The third bracket will see Slovakia play against Kosovo and Turkey face Romania, while the fourth bracket matches up the Czech Republic against Ireland and Denmark versus North Macedonia.

The playoff comprises 12 group runners-up from European qualifying and four teams that entered through the Nations League.

Italy's 12-year wait to end?

Four-time champions Italy enter the playoffs for a third consecutive cycle after finishing behind Norway in their qualifying group.

Italy failed to reach the 2018 World Cup after losing to Sweden and missed the 2022 edition when North Macedonia scored a stoppage-time winner in Palermo.

"There will be immense pressure on Italy, they have obviously missed the last two World Cups," Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill said. "We have everything to gain in this situation."

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose team lost 4-1 to Norway in Milan on Sunday, declined to comment.

If Italy beats Northern Ireland, it must travel to face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final.

Ukraine could host Poland — in Poland

Ukraine played its qualifying group home games in three Polish cities while under Russian military invasion.

Should Ukraine beat Sweden and Poland overcome Albania, Ukraine would host Poland — potentially on Polish soil.

Sweden finished last in its qualifying group but earned a playoff place through winning a Nations League group last year.

"We are playing a proud, strong football nation," new Sweden coach Graham Potter said of Ukraine. "Emotion will be a part of the game that we have to manage, and manage well."

Kosovo seeks to make history as Ireland rides momentum

Kosovo could become the first European team to make its World Cup debut since joining UEFA and FIFA in 2016.

To get there, it must beat Slovakia away before potentially hosting Turkey or Romania.

Ireland secured its playoff place with back-to-back wins over Portugal and Hungary, all five goals scored by Troy Parrott.

The Irish travel to the Czech Republic in the semifinals, with the winner hosting Denmark or North Macedonia.

Denmark dropped into the playoffs after Scotland scored twice in stoppage time to win 4-2 on Tuesday.

"I saw the reaction from Scotland after the win," Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson told the AP. "This is what this beautiful game gives us. Long may that continue and we can keep the momentum."

Intercontinental playoffs

Six more nations will fight for their place at the World Cup in intercontinental playoffs in Mexico between 23 and 31 March.

Iraq, seeded in the draw, faces Bolivia or Suriname, while Congo will play the winner of New Caledonia versus Jamaica.

Iraq reached the global playoffs after scoring a penalty in the 17th minute of stoppage time against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. Coach Graham Arnold's team last appeared at a World Cup in 1986.

New Caledonia, ranked 149th of FIFA's 211 member nations, is the lowest-ranked team in the playoffs.

The tournament draw takes place on 5 December at the Kennedy Center in Washington. The six unconfirmed playoff qualifiers will be included as placeholders in the lowest-ranked pot.

The other 42 teams were confirmed this week when qualifying concluded across four continents.