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Teams in Pot 1 will be drawn against those in Pot 4, leaving the titans of Pot 2 to take on the giants of Pot 3.
The pots for the Uefa section of the World Cup playoff draw:
Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine.
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo.
Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland.
“Welcome, welcome to everyone,” says Infantino.
“We’ve seen some incredible images in the last days.
“Remember, football unites the world. Enjoy.”
Thanks, Gianni!
Apols, I initially had the Path 2 final wrong below. It is of course: Iraq v Bolivia or Suriname.
Here we go then. The Uefa section of the playoff draw has officially begun, and the draw itself is moments away, after a few more pleasantries.
Fifa are now showing a montage about Mexico. I know all you Irish and Welsh fans are enjoying it.
Fifa World Cup 2026: confirmed international playoff draw
Path 1 semi final: New Caledonia v Jamaica
Path 1 final: Congo DR v New Caledonia or Jamaica
Path 2 semi-final: Bolivia v Suriname
Path 2 final: Iraq v Bolivia or Suriname
The matches will take place in Mexico, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, both hosts cities for the tournament proper.
Bolivia, who beat Brazil on the final matchday, will face Suriname in the Path 2 semi-final.
New Caledonia v Jamaica is the semi-final in Path 1. The winner of that tie plays Congo DR for a place at the tournament.
Congo DR are the first name out of the hat, and will be in the final of Path 1.
Iraq, consequently, are in the final of Path 2.
So in this international draw, Iraq and DR Congo are seeded, the other four: Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname and New Caledonia, have to play each other to get to the “final”.
It’s Christian Karembeu! He was born in New Caledonia, who are in the international draw and could make it to the World Cup for the first time.
“Obviously we need to play two games … hopefully they can make us dream,” says the 1998 World Cup winner with France.
“It is a great pleasure to have you here in the beautiful city of Zurich,” says Gianni Infantino. “It will be the greatest World Cup ever.
“It will be 104 Superbowls in one month … we’ll have 7m in the stadiums, and 6bn watching at home.
“I wish you the very best of luck in the draw … thanks for being here and welcome, again, to Fifa.”
Anyway, the draw is under way, and Melanie Winiger is our host.
“I’ve just realised there is a possibility that Republic of Ireland play Northern Ireland in Dublin in a friendly in March four days after both sides World Cup dreams are over,” writes Fergus. “The most depressing game of international football that could ever be played.”
Keep the faith.
“Hi Luke,” emails Paul. “As an Ireland fan, I was tempted to go full Partridge and book accommodation in the sleepy Beskydy/Moravian-Silesian foothills, exactly equidistant between Poznan, Prague and Bratislava. But I’m taking my chances we get Wales”
And in more World Cup reading, here is Will Unwin on Curaçao’s progress to the World Cup under Dick Advocaat. The Caribbean island nation will be the smallest ever to play at the Fifa World Cup.
‘I was on my knees on the living room floor’
Scotland fans describe their experiences during the wild 4-2 win against Denmark on Tuesday:
And here is our reporter Ewan Murray on how Steve Clarke hopes Scotland’s qualification will inspire the next generation:
Here is some reading on how Republic of Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland made it into the playoffs. Plus a bonus Scotland match report after they sealed the place at the World Cup in dramatic style.
“As an ROI supporter, I hope we get a home match against a theoretically weaker side,” writes Martin. “I dream of beating Spain in the final. I fear it’s all going to end in tears, starting about an hour from now.”
“I enjoy a long preamble as much as the next person,” writes Ruairi. “But just wondering if you have any insight as to when the actual draw takes place. It’s being billed as 12.00 but in reality is that when 45 minutes of Fifa Family-approved waffle begins? I want the exact time when we see someone in the Figo/Seedorf/Kluivert mold get his hands on some balls (not like that).”
Thanks Ruairi. I have no insight, I just work here. Presuming the pleasantries last for 10minutes, and then they do the international draw, I’ll guess 12.25pm UK time for the European draw.
Libby Brooks
The prognosis from the north Glasgow primary schools squad had been bleak. “Everybody says Scotland are going to get pumped,” my eight-year told me as he left football training on Tuesday evening, with a realism born of experience even over his short life.
But three hours later, Scotland fans across the nation and beyond were catapulted beyond euphoria as their team qualified for the men’s football World Cup for the first time in more than a quarter of a century after a bum-squeaking, breathtaking 4-2 win against Denmark at Hampden.
“Don’t think a “local derby” in a noisy Principality Stadium is what Ireland want,” writes John. “Wales will have the measure of us there. It’s got to be the Czech Republic or Slovakia. As a spring destination, Prague definitely has the edge over Bratislava, however. So the Czechs it is!”
Personally, I’d rather try Bratislava. I’ve been to Prague and wasn’t all that keen.
“As someone who supports both Irish teams (controversial, I know), it’s the hope that I fear,” emails Phil.
That’s deep. Thanks Phil. Keep your expectations low, then you are less likely to be disappointed.
Note: the international playoff draw will take place before the Uefa bit. It all kicks off in about an hour.
The teams in the international draw are: Iraq, DR Congo, Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname and New Caledonia.
Iraq and DR Congo are seeded, the other four are not. The two CONCACAF teams must be in separate “paths”.
Republic of Ireland fans, Wales fans, Northern Ireland fans. What are your hopes, dreams and fears? Mail me
So theoretically, the Uefa draw could end up looking like this:
Italy v Northern Ireland
Denmark v Sweden
Turkey v Romania
Ukraine v North Macedonia
Wales v Republic of Ireland
Poland v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Czech Republic v Kosovo
Slovakia v Albania
Preamble
Scotland booked their plane tickets to the good ol’ US of A with a sensational 4-2 win against Denmark on Tuesday. But Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales will all need to negotiate a playoff in March if they are to join Steve Clarke’s side at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America.
The format of the imminent draw is simple. There are four places at the tournament on offer and 16 teams in the playoffs: 12 runners-up from the World Cup qualifying groups, and four teams who qualified via the Nations League. Anyone hoping to make the tournament must win a “semi-final” and “final”.
Pots 1 and 2 and seeded teams, and Pots 3 and 4 and unseeded. The teams in Pots 1 and 2 get a home semi-final. Teams from Pot 1 will be drawn against teams from Pot 4, so it’s Pot 2 v Pot 3 in the other four matches. Each “path” to the World Cup will include a team from each pot.
Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine.
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo.
Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland.
The draw commences at 12pm UK time.
Let’s get ready to rumble!
