Overview
- Sixteen teams enter the European play-offs: the 12 qualifying group runners-up plus four Nations League selections.
- Seeding uses the November 2025 FIFA ranking, with runners-up spread across Pots 1–3 and all four Nations League teams in Pot 4.
- In each path, Pot 1 faces Pot 4 and Pot 2 meets Pot 3 in single-leg semi-finals hosted by the seeded teams, with final hosts decided by an additional draw.
- The semi-finals are scheduled for March 26, 2026 and the one-off finals for March 31, 2026.
- Northern Ireland, Romania and Sweden have secured Nations League berths, the last spot will go to North Macedonia or Wales, and Italy are assured a top seed after finishing second to Norway.