Ireland learn potential opponents for World Cup playoff semi-final
James Cox
As the European World Cup qualifiers concluded on Tuesday night, the Republic of Ireland now know their potential opponents for the playoff semi-finals.
Ireland will face either Poland, Wales, Czechia or Slovakia on March 26th. The playoff finals will take place on March 31st.
The draw will take place at Fifa headquarters in Zurich on Thursday and Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson will be in attendance.
Wales' comprehensive 7-1 victory over North Macedonia ended Ireland's hopes of making Pot 2 for the draw.
The result leaves Ireland in Pot 3 after Troy Parrott's five goals secured historic victories over Portugal and Hungary last week.
Ireland will be away for the playoff semi-final.
The pots are as follows:
- Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine
- Poland, Wales, Czechia, Slovakia
- Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo
- Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland
The semi-final hosts must confirm their stadium by December 19th.
Four paths to playoff finals will also be confirmed at Thursday’s draw.
Paths A, B, C, D will all include include two semi-final pairings – where the winners of a Pot 1 v Pot 4 fixture will play the winners of a Pot 2 v Pot 3 fixture.
Scotland secured a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday night to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
That leaves the Danes, who Ireland have met in World Cup qualifiers in recent campaigns, in Pot 1.
