{"id":580620,"date":"2025-11-19T15:05:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T15:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/580620\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T15:05:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T15:05:18","slug":"how-thursdays-world-cup-draw-will-work-as-semi-finals-and-finals-decided","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/580620\/","title":{"rendered":"How Thursday&#8217;s World Cup draw will work as semi-finals and finals decided"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Wales are in the play-offs for the World Cup next March and will have a home semi-final after finishing second in their qualifying group<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS388192487.jpg\" alt=\"Wales discover their World Cup play-off opponents on Thursday\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Wales discover their World Cup play-off opponents on Thursday(Image: Pro Sports Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Wales will discover their potential route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday when the European play-off draw is made in Zurich.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">After <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/wales-v-north-macedonia-live-32897918\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">hammering North Macedonia 7-1 on Tuesday night<\/a> to clinch second place in their qualifying group, Wales are now just two wins away from reaching the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but they must first navigate a tense play-off path first.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Here\u2019s everything you need to know about the draw and how the World Cup play-offs actually work&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">When is the draw?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">The draw takes place on Thursday, November 20 at 12pm. It will take place at FIFA&#8217;s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">It will confirm the eight semi-final ties and map out each of the four play-off paths. You&#8217;ll be able to follow live updates of the draw on WalesOnline.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Who is in the play-offs?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Sixteen teams will compete for four remaining European spots at the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Group runners-up<\/strong>: Albania, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, Wales, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, T\u00fcrkiye, Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Nations League qualifiers:<\/strong> Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Who has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Twelve European nations are already through as group winners: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">They will be joined by the four teams who win their play-off paths.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_GettyImages-2219680013.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Detailed view of the 2026 World Cup trophy (Image: Getty Images)<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">How the play-offs work<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">The play-offs are split into four knockout paths, each containing:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\" publication=\"walesonline\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Two one-legged semi-finals<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">One final<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">The winner of each path qualifies for the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Match dates:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\" publication=\"walesonline\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Semi-finals: Thursday, 26 March 2026<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Finals: Tuesday, 31 March 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Seeding &#8211; Wales confirmed in Pot 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Teams are ranked 1\u201316 and split across four pots:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pot 1: Runners-up ranked 1-4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Italy, Denmark, T\u00fcrkiye, Ukraine<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pot 2: Runners-up ranked 5-8<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Poland, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Wales<\/strong>, Czechia, Slovakia<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pot 3: Runners-up ranked 9-12<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, Kosovo<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pot 4: Nations League qualifiers<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Wales\u2019 position in <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pot 2<\/strong> means:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\" publication=\"walesonline\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">They are seeded<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">They will <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">play their semi-final at home<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">They cannot face a Pot 1 team in the semi-final<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">A separate draw will determine who hosts the final<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">How the draw works<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\" publication=\"walesonline\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Pot 1 teams are drawn into semi-finals 1, 3, 5 and 7 (as hosts).<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Pot 2 teams &#8211; <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">including Wales<\/strong> &#8211; are drawn into semi-finals 2, 4, 6 and 8 (also as hosts).<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Pot 3 teams fill the away slots in semi-finals 2, 4, 6 and 8.<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Pot 4 teams fill the away slots in semi-finals 1, 3, 5 and 7.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">A further draw will then decide which semi-final winner hosts each final.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">What this means for Wales<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Wales\u2019 seeding offers a valuable advantage:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\" publication=\"walesonline\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">They will play their semi-final in Cardiff on 26 March<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">They will face one of Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina or Kosovo<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">They avoid the strongest sides &#8211; Italy, Denmark, T\u00fcrkiye and Ukraine &#8211; in the first match<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">The draw will set out both their opponents and whether any potential final will be home or away<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"walesonline\">Two positive results, starting with a home semi-final, would secure Wales a place at the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Wales are in the play-offs for the World Cup next March and will have a home semi-final after&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":580621,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5010],"tags":[748,4884,16,15,1764,52825],"class_list":{"0":"post-580620","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wales","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-great-britain","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-wales","13":"tag-wales-football-team"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115576986650142810","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/580620","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=580620"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/580620\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/580621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=580620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=580620"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=580620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}