World Cup 2026 Play-Off: Italy Faces Northern Ireland, Jamaica’s Finals Path Revealed

The upcoming 2026 World Cup play-offs will showcase crucial matches in Europe and inter-confederation brackets as teams vie for a spot in the prestigious tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Italy vs. Northern Ireland in 2026 World Cup Play-Off

Italy is set to host Northern Ireland in the semi-final of the European play-offs. The winner will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final stage.

European Play-Off Structure

The European play-offs feature eight single-leg semi-finals and four finals. The four winners will secure a place in next year’s World Cup finals.

• Path A: Italy vs. Northern Ireland; Winner faces Wales vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Path B: Ukraine vs. Sweden; Winner faces Poland vs. Albania
• Path C: Turkey vs. Romania; Winner faces Slovakia vs. Kosovo
• Path D: Denmark vs. North Macedonia; Winner faces Czech Republic vs. Republic of Ireland

These matches will take place on March 26 and 31, 2024. The victors will gain a significant opportunity to represent their nations on the world stage.

Jamaica’s Path to the World Cup

In the inter-confederation play-offs, Jamaica will compete against New Caledonia. The winner will then face DR Congo in the final.

Inter-Confederation Play-Off Details

• Semi-finals:
• New Caledonia vs. Jamaica (Winner plays DR Congo)
• Bolivia vs. Suriname (Winner plays Iraq)
• Finals:
• DR Congo vs. Winner of New Caledonia/Jamaica
• Iraq vs. Winner of Bolivia/Suriname

The inter-confederation play-offs will also occur in late March 2024, with the matches located in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico. DR Congo and Iraq are seeded and will directly enter the finals of their respective pathways.

European Play-Off Qualification Insights

The qualification for the World Cup saw Europe expand from 11 to 16 slots due to the tournament’s transition to 48 teams. Nations were split into groups, with direct qualification for group winners.

Teams like England, Portugal, Norway, and others qualified directly. Runners-up joined the play-offs alongside teams from the 2024-25 Nations League.

The following teams reached the play-offs through second-place finishes:

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Italy
• Kosovo
• Wales
• Republic of Ireland
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Turkey
• Ukraine

Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, and North Macedonia advanced through their Nations League performance.

Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup play-offs will be pivotal as teams navigate their paths to qualification. The matches promise excitement and high stakes as nations aim for a place among the best in world football.