World Cup 2026 playoffs draw: Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia v Republic of Ireland, Italy v Northern Ireland – live

12.56pm GMT That’s all from me, congratulations in advance to everyone. Billy Munday is here to take up the baton. 12.56pm GMT “Sweden …” writes Ben “… have been utterly woeful, but come March when you can reasonably expect a fully fit and firing Gyökeres, Isak, Kulesevski et al – playing Ukraine on neutral territory and then Poland, they’re remarkably within reach of the Biggest Of Cups despite it all.” 12.55pm GMT “Please check your mobile phones for a text message regarding your transportation back to the airport,” says a voice over the Fifa feed. I don’t think they mean us. 12.50pm GMT “As an Irishman,” emails Justin, “I was hoping for the Czechs, but fearing that Infantino, Trump, and Orbán would announce that after a longish VAR review, they’d spotted an offside on Troy Parrott’s third goal on Sunday. It might still happen!” Updated at 12.53pm GMT 12.45pm GMT Confirmed World Cup 2026 playoffs Path A SF1: Italy v Northern IrelandSF2: Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina Path B SF3: Ukraine v SwedenSF4: Poland v AlbaniaPath C SF5: Turkey v RomaniaSF6: Slovakia v Kosovo Path D SF7: Denmark v North MacedoniaSF8: Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland Draw for the finals: Winner of SF2 (Wales Bosnia-Herzegovina) at home v winner of SF1 (Italy v Northern Ireland). Winner of SF3: (Ukraine and Sweden) at home v winner of SF4 (Poland v Albania). Winner of SF 6 (Slovakia v Kosovo v winner of SF5 (Turkey v Romania) Winner of SF8 (Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland) at home v winner of SF7 (Denmark v North Macedonia). Updated at 12.58pm GMT 12.41pm GMT Denmark v North Macedonia in Path D. 12.40pm GMT Turkey v Romania in Path C, semi-final 5. Updated at 12.40pm GMT 12.40pm GMT Ukraine v Sweden in Path B. 12.39pm GMT Italy v Northern Ireland Confirmed in Path A. 12.38pm GMT Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland Confirmed in Path D. 12.37pm GMT Slovakia v Kosovo in Path C. 12.37pm GMT Poland v Albania in Path B. 12.36pm GMT Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina Confirmed in semi-final No 2, Path A. Updated at 12.36pm GMT 12.35pm GMT Czech Republic host semi-final 8 in Path D. 12.34pm GMT Slovakia home in semi-final 6, Path C. 12.34pm GMT Poland home in semi-final 4, Path B. 12.34pm GMT Wales are the first team drawn from Pot 2, they will host semi-final 2, in Path A. 12.33pm GMT Denmark host their semi-final in Path D. 12.32pm GMT Turkey host semi-final 5, in Path C. Updated at 12.32pm GMT 12.31pm GMT Ukraine host semi-final 3, in Path B. 12.31pm GMT Italy are drawn first. They are in Path A, hosting a semi-final at home. 12.30pm GMT OK. Here we go. Pot 1 first. 12.29pm GMT The Sweden legend Martin Dahlin is here, too! 12.27pm GMT “It’s a memory we never forget. I’m very very proud,” says special guest Marco Materazzi, of winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy. Updated at 12.27pm GMT 12.25pm GMT 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. 12.24pm GMT 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. Updated at 12.24pm GMT 12.23pm GMT “Welcome, welcome to everyone,” says Infantino. “We’ve seen some incredible images in the last days. “Remember, football unites the world. Enjoy.” Thanks, Gianni! Updated at 12.24pm GMT 12.21pm GMT Apols, I initially had the Path 2 final wrong below. It is of course: Iraq v Bolivia or Suriname. Updated at 12.22pm GMT 12.20pm GMT 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. 12.18pm GMT Fifa are now showing a montage about Mexico. I know all you Irish and Welsh fans are enjoying it. 12.15pm GMT 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. Updated at 12.21pm GMT 12.14pm GMT Bolivia, who beat Brazil on the final matchday, will face Suriname in the Path 2 semi-final. 12.13pm GMT 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. 12.11pm GMT 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. Updated at 12.12pm GMT 12.11pm GMT 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”. 12.08pm GMT 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. 12.06pm GMT “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.” Updated at 12.06pm GMT 12.03pm GMT Anyway, the draw is under way, and Melanie Winiger is our host. Updated at 12.04pm GMT 12.02pm GMT “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. Updated at 12.02pm GMT 11.50am GMT “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” Updated at 11.50am GMT 11.47am GMT 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. Related: ‘An impossibility made possible’: how tiny Curaçao made World Cup history 11.40am GMT ‘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: Related: ‘Can’t stop watching the replays’: Scotland fans on World Cup qualification And here is our reporter Ewan Murray on how Steve Clarke hopes Scotland’s qualification will inspire the next generation: Related: Steve Clarke hopes Scotland’s World Cup qualification will inspire next generation Updated at 11.41am GMT 11.30am GMT 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. Related: Parrott hat-trick sickens Hungary as Ireland grab World Cup playoff spot in wild win Related: Wilson treble helps Wales thrash North Macedonia to boost World Cup dream Related: World Cup 2026 qualifying roundup: Northern Ireland in playoffs despite loss Related: Tierney and McLean send Scotland to World Cup with thrilling win against Denmark 11.22am GMT “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.” 11.20am GMT “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. 11.12am GMT 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. Related: ‘It gives everyone a lift’: Scotland’s World Cup qualification unites a nation 11.09am GMT “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. 11.04am GMT “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. 10.59am GMT 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”. Updated at 11.07am GMT 10.54am GMT Republic of Ireland fans, Wales fans, Northern Ireland fans. What are your hopes, dreams and fears? Mail me Updated at 10.55am GMT 10.53am GMT 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 Updated at 11.05am GMT 10.45am GMT 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!