The European play-off draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will occur on November 20, 2025, at FIFA headquarters, establishing the semi-final matchups for the final qualification phase. Sixteen European teams, including 12 runners-up from the qualifiers and four teams qualifying via the UEFA Nations League, will compete for four remaining spots in the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The draw will determine four paths, each with two semi-finals and a final, all played as single-leg knockout matches in March 2026. Wales will host Bosnia and Herzegovina in their semi-final, with the potential of hosting Italy in the final if they win. Northern Ireland will travel to Italy for their semi-final, with the possibility of facing Wales or Bosnia in the final. Other matches include Ukraine vs. Sweden, Poland vs. Albania, Turkey vs. Romania, Slovakia vs. Kosovo, Denmark vs. North Macedonia, and Czech Republic vs. Republic of Ireland. The draw is based on FIFA rankings, with teams divided into four pots. Seeded teams from the qualifiers and Nations League are drawn into semi-finals, with home advantage assigned accordingly. The winners of these semi-finals will advance to the finals, with the semi-finals scheduled for March 26 and the finals on March 31, 2026. The tournament will see 12 teams qualify directly as group winners, with the remaining four spots decided through these play-offs. Notably, Italy is the highest-ranked team in the play-offs, and Wales has a strong chance of securing a second consecutive World Cup appearance, especially with home advantage for their semi-final. Northern Ireland, with a historic win over Italy in 1958, faces a tough challenge on the road. Additionally, the intercontinental play-offs will determine the final two teams, with matches in Mexico involving teams like Jamaica, DR Congo, New Caledonia, Suriname, and Iraq. The overall qualification process is highly competitive, with European and intercontinental pathways culminating in the final tournament next summer.