Overview
- The 16‑team field comprises 12 group runners‑up plus four Nations League entrants, split into four paths with one‑leg semi‑finals and finals.
- The draw begins at 12:00 GMT on Thursday and will set the paths, with Pot 1 vs Pot 4 and Pot 2 vs Pot 3 in the semi‑finals and final hosts decided by draw.
- UEFA semi‑finals are scheduled for March 26 with finals five days later, leaving each winner two victories from the World Cup.
- Eight nations are already confirmed for the UEFA play‑offs: Albania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Sweden and Ukraine.
- Pot placements hinge on world rankings and this week’s remaining results, with Northern Ireland locked in Pot 4 for an away semi and the inter‑confederation play‑offs draw also taking place Thursday, where Bolivia and New Caledonia are confirmed participants.