Published 18 days ago • loading... • Updated 16 days ago

Italy to Face Northern Ireland in World Cup Playoffs, Ukraine Take on Sweden

In Switzerland, 16 European nations discovered their play-off routes, with Northern Ireland drawn to travel to Italy for a one-legged semi-final in March while Wales earned a home semi-final.
The play-offs feature a mix of runners-up and Nations League qualifiers, with 12 qualification runners-up and four Nations League teams seeded by Fifa ranking into four pots including Pot 3: Republic of Ireland and Pot 4: Nations League qualifiers including Northern Ireland.
The draw paired Pot 1 v Pot 4 and Pot 2 v Pot 3, creating eight semi-finals streamed on Fifa+ from 12pm GMT.
Eight semis now determine four World Cup qualifiers, with the one-legged semi-final format giving Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill more hope despite facing Italy.
Italy's status and recent misses frame the draw as four-time World Cup winners Italy missed automatic qualification for the last two tournaments, finishing second to Norway and Erling Haaland.

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11 Articles

Taipei Times

Lean Left

Italy to face Northern Ireland in World Cup playoffs, Ukraine take on Sweden

Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan

16 days ago·Taipei, Taiwan

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La Repubblica

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Play-Off World Cup, Could Have Been Worse: There Is Northern Ireland, but Now It Serves Italy

Eventually final with Wales or Bosnia on the move. Gattuso asks for help: " Turkey stops the championship, and we?" Buffon: "It's not a funeral"

17 days ago·Turin, Italy

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Irish News

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‘One-off’ tie against Italy might suit Northern Ireland betters says manager Michael O’Neill

North face four-time champions in World Cup play-off in March

17 days ago·Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

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The Independent

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World Cup 2026 play-off draw live: Wales and Republic of Ireland learn fate

Wales and Northern Ireland must get past Italy in path A of the World Cup play-offs while Republic of Ireland face a tricky trip to Czechia

18 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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Daily Mirror

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World Cup 2026 draw recap: Wales, Rep. Ireland and N. Ireland discover opponents

The draw for the World Cup 2026 European play-offs has taken place, with Wales and Northern Ireland on course to meet each other

18 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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My Football Facts

World Cup play-off line-up set after draw in Switzerland

By Martin Graham Wales have been paired with Bosnia-Herzegovina on home soil, while Northern Ireland will visit Italy in their World Cup play-off semi-final. Victors from these contests will advance to the decisive round, where the winner of the Welsh tie is guaranteed a home final. The Republic of Ireland will travel to the Czech Republic and could earn a home decider against either Denmark or North Macedonia. Path structure and match schedul…

17 days ago

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