Italy is set to kick off its World Cup qualifying playoff campaign against Northern Ireland in March. The victor of this matchup will then face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in a bid to secure a spot at the upcoming 48-team finals tournament in North America.
Having last participated in the World Cup in 2014, Italy finds itself in the playoffs after finishing second in a qualifying group topped by Norway. Meanwhile, Ukraine will host Sweden in another European playoff, with the winner facing Poland or Albania. Kosovo, aiming for its first-ever World Cup appearance, will begin its journey against Slovakia and then potentially face Turkey or Romania.
Ireland’s impressive recent victories over Portugal and Hungary have earned them a playoff semifinal against the Czech Republic. The winner of this clash will then host either Denmark or North Macedonia. Additionally, FIFA conducted a draw for the intercontinental playoffs involving nations outside of Europe.
Iraq, seeded in the draw, must overcome Bolivia or Suriname in a decisive one-game playoff to secure a place at the finals tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the other intercontinental bracket, Congo will await the winner of a semifinal between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
The six intercontinental playoff matches are scheduled to take place in Mexico from March 23-31, with games set to be held in Guadalajara and Monterrey. A total of six teams will progress from these playoffs to complete the lineup of 48 nations for the World Cup.
The World Cup draw is slated for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where the six remaining playoff teams will be randomly drawn as placeholders. Iraq secured its spot in the playoffs with a dramatic stoppage-time penalty against the United Arab Emirates, setting up a thrilling journey towards potential qualification for the global tournament.
New Caledonia, the lowest-ranked team in the playoffs, has advanced by defeating Tahiti and subsequently facing New Zealand in the Oceania qualifying final. The team, led by coach Johann Sidaner, has limited recent match experience, with a victory over Gibraltar in a recent friendly encounter.