FIFA Confirm 'Bleak' Rule to Be Used in World Cup Play-Offs That Will Shock Fans

European nations who do not progress from the World Cup play-off semi-finals will subjected to an initial FIFA rule, it has emerged.

After qualifiers were wrapped up, 42 teams secured passage to the tournament - which will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

A further six spots are available for the 23rd edition, as for the first time in history 48 teams will be placed in 12 groups.

Four will be determined by the UEFA play-offs including Republic of Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Romania, Sweden and North Macedonia, as well as two through the Inter-continental play-offs which include Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.

Drawn in Zurich on Thursday, the semi-finals are set to take place on 26 March 2026, with the all-important finals happening five days later on 31 March 2026.

The World Cup play-off draw took place on Thursday. Image: Getty

New Caledonia will take on Jamaica, with the winner facing facing DR Congo in the final. In the other final, Iraq awaits the winner of Bolivia vs Suriname.

In the European qualifiers, the semi-finals drawn were: Wales vs Bosnia, Italy vs Northern Ireland, Ukraine vs Sweden, Poland vs Albania, Turkey vs Romania, Slovakia vs Kosovo, Denmark vs North Macedonia and Czech Republic vs the Republic of Ireland.

UEFA rule forces friendlies

However, those who do fall short in their European World Cup play-off semi-finals will still be in action on the night of the final, it has been confirmed.

Instead, the losing semi-finalists will be forced to play against one another in a friendly game because of a scheduling and TV ruling imposed by UEFA.

Wales will face Bosnia in the play-off semi-final. Image: Getty

Gavin Cooney, a journalist for the 42, took to X and wrote: "Fifa have confirmed a (bleak) scenario - if Ireland lose their play-off semi-final, they'll have to play a friendly game against the other losing semi-finalist on the night of the play-off final.

"This is because everyone is contractually obliged to play two games in the March international window, for TV contracts."

Because of the way the draw panned out, it means Wales and Northern Ireland could face one another in one of those aforementioned friendlies if they are beaten by Bosnia and Italy respectively.

Craig Bellamy's side will of course much prefer a showdown with Italy or the Northern Ireland in the final - where they have been given home advantage.

The Republic of Ireland travel to the Czech Republic in the semi-final and will lock horns with either Denmark or North Macedonia if they emerge victorious.

The draw for the main tournament will take place on 5 December.