Overview
- The 16-team European play-off draw will be held in Zurich on November 20, defining four paths that each produce one qualifier.
- Entrants comprise the 12 group runners-up and four Nations League teams, split into seeded and unseeded pots for the semi-finals.
- All ties are single-leg knockouts, with seeded teams hosting the semi-finals and each final host decided by a separate draw.
- Fixtures are scheduled for March 26 and March 31, 2026, requiring each path winner to prevail in two matches in five days.
- Italy, second in their group behind Norway, is confirmed as a top seed, and the draw will stream on FIFA+ and via national broadcasters.