This Thursday, Fifa held the draw for the repechage from Eliminatórias Europeias to Copa of Mundo 2026, in Zurique, in Suíça. As Doze teams compete for the four remaining places on the continent in clashes scheduled for March 26th and 31st, 2026. The event defined four brackets with semifinals and finals in a single game, prioritizing field control for the best classified teams.
Teams were seeded into pots based on Fifa ranking and performance in Eliminatórias and Liga of Nações. The format ensures balance between traditional and emerging teams, with the winners of each group advancing to Mundial in Estados Unidos, Canadá and México.
- Italy x Irlanda of Norte
- nation of Gales x Bósnia
- Poland x Albânia
- Slovakia x Kosovo
- Republic Tcheca x Irlanda
- Ukraine x Suíça
- Türkiye x Romênia
- Denmark x Macedônia of Norte
The European Play-Offs for the #FIFAWorldCup 🌍Which four are going to #WeAre26? 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ssnMXLRgYB
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2025
Keys formed in the draw
The draw grouped the teams into four different groups. The Cada bracket starts with two semifinals, followed by a final that defines the classification.
The Chave A brings together Itália, Irlanda of Norte, nation of Gales and Bósnia. As Os semi-finals will take place on March 26th and the final on March 31st.
Analysis of the initial semi-finals
Itália faces Irlanda of Norte in Milão. Azzurra, runner-up in the group, is looking for a place after absences in 2018 and 2022.
The nation of Gales plays against Bósnia in Cardiff. As Ambas teams arrive via Liga from Nações and aim to surprise in the play-offs.
Polônia faces Albânia in Varsóvia. The Polish team depends on the Robert Lewandowski to advance in the Chave B.
Complete key structure
Key A
- Semifinal 1: Itália x Irlanda of Norte
- Semifinal 2: Gales x Bósnia nation
- End: Vencedor SF1 x Vencedor SF2
Key B
- Semifinal 1: Ucrânia x Suíça
- Semifinal 2: Polônia x Albânia
- End: Vencedor SF1 x Vencedor SF2
Key C
- Semifinal 1: Turquia x Romênia
- Semifinal 2: Eslováquia x Kosovo
- End: Vencedor SF1 x Vencedor SF2
Key D
- Semifinal 1: Dinamarca x Macedônia of Norte
- Semifinal 2: República Tcheca x Irlanda
- End: Vencedor SF1 x Vencedor SF2
As matches in each group follow the field command criteria of the team in the higher pot. As semi-finals are held in the stadiums of pots 1 and 2, while the finals use the field of the highest-ranked semi-final winner.
Picks and Jackpots Involved
The 12 teams from pots 1 and 2 were runners-up in Eliminatórias. Pote 1 includes Itália, Ucrânia, Turquia and Dinamarca.
Pot 2 has Suíça, Polônia, Eslováquia and República Tcheca. As Essas teams secured positions thanks to their performance in the knockout groups.
The Jackpot 3 comprises nation of Gales, Albânia, Kosovo and Irlanda, all Liga and Nações winners. Pot 4 is closed with Bósnia, Romênia, Macedônia from Gales0 and Gales1 from Gales2.
Decisive game calendar
The semi-final duels will be played on March 26, 2026. Equipes, as well as Itália and Dinamarca, play at home in this phase.
The final will take place on March 31st. As final placements of Os depend on those classified for the semi-finals, always prioritizing the classification of Fifa.
The European play-off puts an end to the continent’s qualifying cycle. As vacancies defined in As complete the 16 in Europa in the expanded Mundial.
Worlds 2026 starts on June 11th on Estádio Azteca. The group draw will take place on December 5th at Washington.
