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UEFA Play-Off Draw Set for Nov. 20 to Map Europe’s Final Four World Cup Paths

Seeding follows the November FIFA rankings, placing Nations League qualifiers in Pot 4 and granting seeded teams home semi-finals.

Overview

  • Sixteen teams enter the UEFA play-offs: the 12 qualifying group runners-up plus four Nations League selections.
  • The Zurich draw starts at 12:00 GMT on Nov. 20 and will stream on FIFA.com and FIFA+ as well as broadcaster partners.
  • Four paths will feature single-leg semi-finals on March 26, 2026 and one-off finals on March 31, 2026, with final hosts decided by an additional draw.
  • Semi-final pairings are Pot 1 vs Pot 4 and Pot 2 vs Pot 3, with seeded sides at home in the semi-finals.
  • Italy are assured a top-seed place, with Northern Ireland, Romania and Sweden confirmed via the Nations League and the final Nations League slot to be taken by North Macedonia or Wales.