Wales are on a collision course with Northern Ireland and Italy in their bid to reach next summer’s World Cup.
Craig Bellamy’s side have been drawn at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their play-off semi-final. Wales, ranked 39 places above their opponents, will be favourites to advance despite failing to beat them in their past four meetings.
If they progress, they will face the winner of Italy’s semi-final clash with Northern Ireland in what promises to be a thrilling play-off showdown.
The Azzurri, ranked 12th in the world, are the highest-ranked team in the draw and are desperate to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup – even if it means ending Wales’ hopes in the process. Despite failing to qualify directly, the four-time World Cup winners still boast formidable tournament pedigree.
One silver lining for Wales is that, should they navigate past Bosnia, they will host the final at home. And with past encounters between the two sides in Cardiff – including Bellamy’s iconic winning goal in their last meeting there in 2002 – they will hope history can give them an edge.
The alternative is an emotionally charged derby with Northern Ireland, who managed to seal a play-off spot owing to their Nations League performances even though they did not finish in the top two of their qualifying group.
Meanwhile, a fired-up Ireland have been drawn away to the Czech Republic. Ireland managed to clinch their play-off spot in dramatic fashion last week, with Troy Parrott’s 96th-minute winner sealing a memorable night in Hungary.
They will then face the winner of Denmark and North Macedonia in the final at home if they are successful, in another huge potential boost for the Irish.
That being said, Czech Republic sit 15 places above them in the FIFA rankings, and a visit to Prague will be a stern task for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side, even despite the raucous enthusiasm of the last few days.
There is a potential for a World Cup play-off final rematch with the Danes after they defeated Ireland 5-1 in 2017.
And Graham Potter’s Sweden side will take on Ukraine away before a home final against either Poland or Albania.
The games are slated for the international window in March 2026 – with the semi-finals to take place on Thursday, 26 March. The finals will then take place five days later on Tuesday, 31 March. The kick-off times are yet to be confirmed
The tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from 32 in Qatar, and will also be the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries. The majority of 104 games will be staged in the USA (78), with Mexico and Canada hosting 13 each.
The draw for the competition proper will take place at 5pm on December 5.
