World Cup 2026 play-off draw LIVE: Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy and Jamaica learn fate

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·20. November 2025

World Cup 2026 play-off draw LIVE: Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy and Jamaica learn fate

22 teams left competing for six remaining spots at expanded finals in two separate tournaments

World Cup 2026 play-off draw LIVE!

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Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will all discover their fate as the draws for the 2026 World Cup play-offs take place this afternoon. All eyes are on FIFA headquarters in Zurich, where 16 teams enter the European play-offs following a thrilling end to UEFA qualifying that saw so many memorable moments, including Troy Parrott’s crucial last-gasp hat-trick goal for the Irish in Hungary and Scotland’s incredible late heroics to defeat Denmark and seal automatic progress to their first World Cup since 1998.

The 12 runners-up from the European groups - including Italy - are joined by the four best Nations League group winners who did not manage to secure a top-two finish in qualifying. There are four different pathways ahead, each featuring two one-legged semi-final ties and a final, with four World Cup places on offer in March. Seeded Wales will be at home in their semi-final, though the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will both be away.

The final two spots in North America next summer will be decided in the separate intercontinental play-offs, the draw for which is coming up first on Thursday with Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname all involved. Follow the World Cup play-off draws live below!