World Cup 2026 play-off draw in full: Northern Ireland to face Italy as Wales meet Bosnia on same path

Republic of Ireland travel to Czechia in semi-finals, with the winners to face either Denmark or North Macedonia

Narratives aplenty: The European World Cup play-off draw was conducted by Marco Materazzi and Martin Dahlin in Zurich

AFP via Getty Images

Northern Ireland and Wales could be on a potential collision course in the 2026 World Cup play-offs, though both face tough semi-final opposition.

The two home nations were placed on the same pathway during Thursday’s 16-team European draw held at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, meaning they will face each other in a one-off final for a place at next summer’s expanded tournament in North America if they each come through their respective one-legged semi-final matches.

That will be easier said than done however, with Northern Ireland travelling to face Italy and Wales hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Republic of Ireland were placed on path D and will travel to Prague to meet Czechia in their semi-final tie, with the winners facing either Denmark or North Macedonia .

Path A

Semi-final 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland

Semi-final 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Path B

Semi-final 3: Ukraine vs Sweden

Semi-final 4: Poland vs Albania

Path C

Semi-final 5: Turkey vs Romania

Semi-final 6: Slovakia vs Kosovo

Path D

Semi-final 7: Denmark vs North Macedonia

Semi-final 8: Czechia vs Republic of Ireland

Path 1

New Caledonia vs Jamaica (winners to face DR Congo in final)

Path 2

Bolivia vs Suriname (winners to face Iraq in final)