For sixteen European nations, the final hurdle on the road to the 2026 World Cup will be mapped out today during the highly anticipated play-off draw in Zurich. While 42 teams have already secured their tickets for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, these remaining hopefuls, including the Republic of Ireland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, must navigate a perilous knockout path for one of just four coveted spots.
How to Watch the Draw Live
The decisive moment unfolds on Thursday, 20 November at 12pm GMT from FIFA's headquarters. For viewers in the UK, the event will not be broadcast on traditional television but will be available to stream live and free of charge via the BBC Sport website and app. Alternatively, the global streaming service FIFA+ will also carry the draw, ensuring fans won't miss a moment as the fates of the teams are sealed.
The Teams and Pots Explained
The 16 teams competing have been finalised and are split into four distinct pots, which will determine the play-off paths. The line-up is a mix of the 12 group runners-up from the initial qualification stage and the four best-ranked Nations League teams that failed to finish in the top two.
The confirmed pots are as follows:
- Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine
- Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czechia, Slovakia
- Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo
- Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland
Nations like Italy, the highest-ranked European side to miss automatic qualification, find themselves in Pot 1, while Northern Ireland secured their place via their Nations League performance.
How the Play-Off Draw Will Work
The draw will create four separate play-off paths, each containing one team from every pot. The semi-final matches, scheduled for 26 March 2026, will see the Pot 1 team host the Pot 4 team, and the Pot 2 team host the Pot 3 team. The winners of these single-leg knockout semi-finals will then face each other in a final on 31 March 2026, with home advantage for the final determined during the initial draw. The victorious team from each of the four paths will earn their place at the 2026 World Cup.
The drama for the Republic of Ireland was sealed by Troy Parrott's stunning last-minute winner against Hungary, propelling them into this high-stakes draw. For Wales and Northern Ireland, the opportunity to reach the world's biggest football stage now rests on the luck of the draw and their performance in two win-or-go-home matches next March.
In a separate event also taking place today, the inter-continental play-off draw will be conducted, featuring six teams including Jamaica and Iraq, with the top two ranked sides receiving a bye to the finals. All eyes will then turn to the World Cup group stage draw on Friday, 5 December in Washington DC, where the finalised 48-team lineup will discover their opponents.
