Northern Ireland face Italy in semis

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Italy has to beat Northern Ireland then Wales or Bosnia to return to the World Cup
Four-time World Cup winner Italy is back in the qualifying playoffs for a third straight time and the draw by FIFA on Thursday plots a tricky path toward ending a remarkable 12-year wait to play on so...

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World Cup 2026 play-off draw: Italy vs Northern Ireland, Jamaica learn path to finals
World Cup 2026 play-off draw LIVE: Wales, Ireland and Italy learn fate
World Cup 2026 play-offs draw: Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland discover opponents
Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have discovered their World Cup play-off opponents; semi-finals take place on Thursday March 26 and the finals on Tuesday March 31 with kick-off times o...

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World Cup play-off draw reaction: Northern Ireland go to Italy; could meet Wales in final
World Cup play-off draw confirmed as N. Ireland face Italy, Wales host Bosnia, teams could meet
Northern Ireland face daunting Italy test in World Cup play-offs and could play Wales as Republic of Ireland get Czechia
Prior to the European play-offs being drawn, the inter-continental ties were also determined.

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World Cup 2026 play-off draws live updates: Italy draw Northern Ireland, Wales to face Bosnia & Herzegovina
Official: Italy’s World Cup play-off semi-final opponent revealed

World Cup UEFA playoffs draw and bracket: Will Italy qualify for 2026?

Sixteen European teams will battle for four spots in the 2026 World Cup. See the pairings for the matches next March.

World Cup play-off draw analysis: Will Italy and other European hopefuls be happy with their path?

The draw for March’s play-offs was made on Thursday, pitting four-time World Cup winners Italy against Northern Ireland. If they come through that single-leg home semi-final, they will travel to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for their bracket’s final a few days later.

World Cup play-off draw live updates as Italy learn opponents

This page will update live with the latest relevant news, no need to refresh the page!Join us to follow the 2026 World Cup play-off draw in which Italy will learn their opponents.It begins at 13:00

2026 World Cup Projected Group Stage Draw Pots

There are novices galore in Pot 4, with Uzbekistan, Jordan and Cabo Verde among the nations making their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2026. Steve McLaren’s Jamaica could return to the international stage for the first time since 1998 if they advance through the inter-confederation playoffs.
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