The 16 European countries still in with a chance of reaching the World Cup will battle it out over the next week for UEFA’s four remaining qualification spots, with the venue of each final already determined, based on March’s draw.
Teams are split into four paths, with each featuring two semi-finals and a final, with a World Cup place the prize for the winner, and the highest-profile participants are Italy, the four-time World Cup winners.
They will face Northern Ireland in their semi-final, and if they come through that single-leg home tie, they will travel to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for their bracket’s final a few days later.
All of the semi-finals take place on Thursday, with the finals happening on Tuesday, March 31, and here, James Horncastle, Nick Miller, and Tim Spiers break down what we can expect from these ties.
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Path A is heating up, with Italy facing Northern Ireland, while Wales takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the winner of that tie will face the winner of the Italy/Northern Ireland match in the final.
Italy are filled with dread at missing out on a third World Cup in a row, and their biggest challenge will be overcoming their own fear of failure, with coping with it making this a mental exercise.
Wales, on the other hand, are looking to make it to the World Cup for the first time since 2022, and they will be facing Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team they have never beaten before.
In Path B, Ukraine takes on Sweden, with the Swedes looking to overcome their poor form, while Poland faces Albania, with the Polands being ominous opponents at home.
Turkey is favored to win Path C, with Romania being a tough opponent, while Kosovo looks to complete a remarkable rise to the World Cup.
In Path D, Denmark takes on North Macedonia, with the Danes being favorites to win, while the Republic of Ireland faces the Czech Republic, with the Irish looking to capitalize on their momentum.
Each of the 16 teams has its strengths and weaknesses, and the next week promises to be an exciting ride, with the World Cup qualification spots on the line.