With the European playoff draw now complete, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland know the tasks ahead as they pursue a place at the 2026 World Cup. The fixtures promise drama across the continent.
Wales welcome Bosnia & Herzegovina to Cardiff after a stunning 7–1 victory gave them a wave of momentum. The Welsh squad and supporters believe this could be their year to return to football’s biggest stage.
Northern Ireland must survive a punishing away match against Italy. Though the Italians are not in peak form, their knockout pedigree remains impressive, and an upset would rank among Northern Ireland’s most memorable results.
The Republic of Ireland travel to Prague to challenge Czech Republic. Troy Parrott’s explosive goal-scoring run has fueled optimism that Ireland can turn this into a historic playoff journey.
Across the bracket, Ukraine will clash with Sweden, while Poland and Albania engage in a balanced semifinal. Outside Europe, the inter-confederation playoff pairings offer intriguing opportunities for Jamaica, Iraq, Bolivia and others.