The last tickets to the 2026 World Cup are being handed out this week. European play-offs begin on Wednesday March 26, with four single-leg semi-finals determining who faces who in the finals on March 31.
Path A: Italy vs Northern Ireland, Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina. Path B: Ukraine vs Sweden, Poland vs Albania. Path C: Turkey vs Romania, Slovakia vs Kosovo. Path D: Denmark vs North Macedonia, Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland.
Italy arrive without Federico Chiesa, dropped by the FIGC after being found unfit. Wales are managed by Craig Bellamy. Ukraine, playing their home games in neutral venues, remain one of the tournament's most emotional stories.
Alongside the European play-offs, a FIFA intercontinental play-off tournament in Mexico will decide the remaining two spots, featuring Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.
The World Cup itself begins June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
