The Draw: What You Need to Know

• The 2026 World Cup play-off draw begins at 13:00 CET (12:00 GMT) today at FIFA Headquarters in Zurich.
• Italy, in pot 1, will play a home semifinal against an opponent from pot 4: Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, or Romania.
• The final match-up will involve teams from pots 2 & 3, and its venue will also be decided today.

Italy’s Past Haunts: History against Potential Opponents

• North Macedonia eliminated Italy from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
• Sweden also knocked out the Azzurri in the 2018 play-offs.
• Northern Ireland defeated Italy in a 1958 World Cup qualifier.

When and Where?

Both the play-off final and the final itself will take place in March 2026.