FIFA 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Play-off Draw

The matchups for the teams competing in the playoff round under 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri have been determined by a draw held at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich Switzerland. Twelve teams that finished second in their groups during the European Qualifiers and four teams that earned playoff qualification via the Nations League participated in the draw. Following the draw four separate playoff paths were established and it was announced that the semifinal and final stages would be played under a single-leg knockout system. Türkiye entered the draw from Pot 1 and was drawn against __strong__Romania__strong__ in the semifinal of Path C.

FIFA headquarters in Switzerland (AA)

Overall Framework of the Draw

The draw commenced with an opening address by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and was conducted by FIFA legends Christian Karembeu Marco Materazzi and Martin Dahlin. Representing the Turkish Football Federation at the event were General Secretary Abdullah Ayaz Technical Director Vincenzo Montella Director of External Relations and National Teams Buğra İmamoğulları and Administrative Director of the Senior and U21 National Teams Mert Tuncay.

The 16 teams qualifying for the playoff round were divided into four separate paths each consisting of four teams. A structure was established such that teams from Pot 1 and Pot 2 would host their semifinal matches. The __strong__semifinals__strong__ will be played on __strong__26 March 2026__strong__ and the __strong__final matches__strong__ on __strong__31 March 2026__strong__. The four winners of the finals will become Europe’s final representatives at the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (AA)

Distribution of Playoff Paths

As a result of the draw the playoff paths were structured into four distinct brackets each comprising a semifinal and a final match both played as single-leg fixtures.

FIFA 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Playoff Draw (AA)

Path A

Path A features Italy Northern Ireland Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The semifinal matchups are Italy versus Northern Ireland and Wales versus Bosnia and Herzegovina. The winners of these two matches will face each other in the final.

Path B

Path C

Path C is the path that includes Türkiye. Türkiye was drawn against Romania in the semifinal while Slovakia versus Kosovo forms the other semifinal matchup. Türkiye will play its match against Romania at home on 26 March 2026. Should Türkiye advance to the final it will face the winner of Slovakia versus Kosovo away on 31 March 2026. The winner of this final will be one of the four European teams qualifying for the World Cup.

Path D

In Path D the semifinal matchups are Denmark versus North Macedonia and Czech Republic versus Republic of Ireland. The winners of these two matches will contest the final.

Intercontinental Playoff Draw

The intercontinental playoff draw was conducted prior to the announcement of the European playoff matchups. Two separate paths were established and the winners of these paths will qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

• Path 1: The winner of New Caledonia versus Jamaica will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final.
• Path 2: The winner of Bolivia versus Suriname will face Iraq in the final.

Details of Türkiye’s Playoff Position

Türkiye earned a playoff spot after finishing second in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. It was drawn against Romania in the playoff semifinal and it has been confirmed that this match will be played in Türkiye. If Türkiye advances to the final the match will be played away at the home of either Slovakia or Kosovo. The winner of the final will secure a place in the World Cup finals.

FIFA 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Playoff Draw (AA)

Technical Director Vincenzo Montella’s Assessment of the Draw

Senior National Team Technical Director Vincenzo Montella shared his views following the draw regarding both the semifinal opponent Romania and the potential final opponents Slovakia and Kosovo. Montella noted that Mircea Lucescu a former long-serving coach in Türkiye is someone he knows well. He also pointed out that Slovakia’s head coach is Italian and that both Slovakia and Kosovo are teams capable of playing compactly. Montella emphasized that all players must deliver maximum performance during the playoff campaign that each match must be evaluated individually and that playing away from home will not be a decisive factor in determining the outcome.

Senior National Team Technical Director Vincenzo Montella (AA)

Schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 23rd FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by the United States Mexico and Canada will take place between 11 June and 19 July 2026. The four teams emerging from the European playoff rounds will participate in this tournament.