World Cup play-off semi-finals

The two British sides are aiming to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but to do so they must win two single-leg play-offs.

During this latest international break, the final places for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States will be decided. Four places are up for grabs in Europe, to be decided by the semi-finals and final matches in this play-off round. The semi-finals will take place on Thursday 26 March, whilst the finals will be played on Tuesday 31 March.

The two British sides, Wales and Northern Ireland, are in the same bracket. Wales face Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium in a clash that looks set to be very evenly matched, but which they hope to win with the support of their fans. Furthermore, they have the added incentive that, should they qualify, they will play the final at the same venue, with home advantage on their side.

Northern Ireland, for their part, have drawn the worst possible fixture. The Northern Irish side will play in Bergamo against Italy, in a match where the Italians are clear favourites. Furthermore, should they pull off an upset, they will also play the final away from home, either in Bosnia and Herzegovina or in Wales.

British teams’ World Cup play-off semi-finals

Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina (20:00 BBC, BBC Sport, BBC One Wales, BBC Two, S4C)
Italy v Northern Ireland (20:00 BBC, BBC Sport, BBC One, BBC Three, BBC One NI)

Other major teams are also in the running

In addition to the British teams, there are other sides and big stars also vying for a place at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. This is the case for Lewandowski’s Poland, who play their semi-final at home against Albania. The final will be away against the winner of the match between Ukraine and Sweden, which will be played in Valencia, at Levante’s stadium.

Arda Guller’s Turkey find themselves in a similar situation. They are favourites in the semi-final, as they host Romania in Istanbul. It would be a surprise if the Ottomans did not reach the final. The other semi-final on that side of the draw pits Slovakia against Kosovo in Bratislava, and the winner of this tie will have home advantage in the final.

Finally, the last European team to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup will be one of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia. The Czechs will host the Irish in Prague, whilst Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium will host the semi-final between Denmark and North Macedonia. The final to secure a place at the World Cup will be played in Prague or Dublin.