World Cup Qualification Playoffs - March 2026

[legendz]

SCENARIO A:
Wales finishing above Macedonia would have Ireland in Pot 3.
1. Italy 9
2. Turkey 26
3. Ukraine 27
4. Poland 33

5. Wales 34( or N. Macedonia 65)
6. Scotland 38
7. Czech Republic 44
8. Slovakia 46

9. Ireland 61
10. Albania 62
11. Bosnia 75
12. Kosovo 84

SCENARIO B:
Macedonia finishing above Wales could have Ireland in Pot 2.
1. Italy 9
2. Turkey 26
3. Ukraine 27
4. Poland 33

5. Scotland 38
6. Czech Republic 44
7. Slovakia 46
8. Ireland 61

9. Albania 62
10. N. Macedonia 65 (or Wales 34)
11. Bosnia 75
12. Kosavo 84

Tuesday fixtures of note:
Group J, Wales v N. Macedonia 19:45
Group H, Austria v Bosnia 19:45

Bosnia beating Austria away would win their group, dropping Austria 24 into Pot 1. That would have a knock affect of others dropping down e.g. Poland into Pot 2. Slovakia dropping down to Pot 3 in Scenario A or Ireland dropping down to Pot 3 in Scenario B.

[geysir]

So on my reading of the process, it's theoretically possible for us to qualify for the World Cup in America in Windsor Park?

Pot 4 is cursed, regardless.

[third policeman]

Can't help feeling there'll be a few 2nd and 3rd G players suddenly feeling a bit more Irish after this week, Dewsbury-Hall, Jobe Bellingham et al. Would you take them/

[pineapple stu]

They'll likely not throw their hat in for two away playoff games I guess

We do need strengthening though. I know we had a lot of people out this week but the bench was really poor. Idah and Festy were dreadful in both games and we could do with phasing them out of we're honest. Coleman has been great lately but he may have been seconds away from the end of his international career. O'Toole and Moran getting called up - that sort of thing

[backstothewall]

Looking at the FIFA rankings Wales must be close to overhauling Poland to get into Pot 1.

I'd much prefer to face Wales tbh.

[Eirambler]

From our point of view we want Wales down in pot 4, because that's the only outcome that can get us a home semi. That will happen if they don't beat Macedonia.

[Strongbow10]

From our point of view we want Wales down in pot 4, because that's the only outcome that can get us a home semi. That will happen if they don't beat Macedonia.

Don't we need Austria to avoid defeat to Bosnia also? Aswell as North Macedonia to avoid defeat

[The Fly]

[Tomas]

Brilliant. Who are Ireland play in play-offs now? Its hard to tell looking at the tables.

[Tomas]

Now on my feed if Germany lose to Slovakia its a great possibility of the semifinal between the Germans and Ireland. Would be great for Ireland as Germany have been struggling big time lately while the Irish are on a high.

[legendz]

Now on my feed if Germany lose to Slovakia its a great possibility of the semifinal between the Germans and Ireland. Would be great for Ireland as Germany have been struggling big time lately while the Irish are on a high.

Germany or Slovakia will be above Ireland. No impact from that one in terms of Pot 3 possibilities but yeah, Germany would fall into the playoffs if they lose to Slovakia tomorrow.

[Poor Student]

Is there any possibility Ireland can overtake Slovakia's FIFA ranking if Germany beat Slovakia?

[pineapple stu]

Italy after getting destroyed by Norway at home. Norway will go far in the World Cup - quarters at least you'd imagine. Haaland is an absolute beast - 16 goals in 8 games, which equals the record for most goals in a European qualifying campaign (and Lewandowski had two more games).

Anyway, confirms Italy in the playoffs, but they won their six non-Norway games, so they're still ones to avoid.

[legendz]

Is there any possibility Ireland can overtake Slovakia's FIFA ranking if Germany beat Slovakia?

Someone shared a link to the live rankings earlier. Slovakia are currently up to 40 and are above Czech Republic. Bosnia and Wales both not winning are the results required for a home playoff semi final.

[elatedscum]

They'll likely not throw their hat in for two away playoff games I guess

The final is apparently totally random as to whether it’ll be home or way. I’d say we’re about 85% likely to play the first game away from home

[Bungle]

Portugal are miles better than any teams left and Hungary would be borderline a pot 1 team if they made it through today.

Equally Armenia are atrocious and would be well beaten by all these teams without exception - maybe they might blag a result against one or two in Yereven.

We have shown the standard we can reach and we have momentum. However, if we turn up like we did in Armenia, we would be in serious trouble.

I will say Italy look shocking and Ukraine won't be playing at home anyway. Turkey look the ones to avoid in pot 1. Poland are always solid and would be nasty in Warsaw.

Pot 2 teams if we have to play them don't look incredible. Scotland have much better players than us in midfield but we could do a number on them. We have a far superior goalkeeper, a better defence and a very competitive attack alongside a really competent manager. I feel we are better than Wales. The Czechs are a name, but don't look any great side. Again would be nasty enough in Prague, but I don't fear them. The Slovaks are a decent side.

If we get to pot 2, I feel there are some awkward teams in pot 3. Kosovo might seem the one to get, but they have serious momentum and I imagine they would die for that shirt. I would feel confident against them all in Dublin though.

Worried about pot 4. Sweden are probably the most talented team left in the playoffs. Potentially horrible game in a final. If they click, they will be seriously dangerous. The North is a banana skin. Romania in Bucharest would not be nice.

Overall, Sweden and Turkey definitely the ones to avoid across the pots with a nod to Italy's heritage as being a reason to keep away from them.

It's nice to be worrying about these things for a change.

[Kingdom]

The final is apparently totally random as to whether it’ll be home or way. I’d say we’re about 85% likely to play the first game away from home

That's why FIFA are referring to them as 'pathways'. Teams are drawn into semi-final slots, and then FIFA perform a draw in advance for the final play-off match,

[Insidetherock]

Question:

We want North Macedonia to get a result against Wales, so that they qualify directly to the play offs, and that pushes Ireland up into Pot 2, to take Wales place.

But... North Macedonia are also guarenteed a spot in the play offs, via that Nations League C pathway, as they won their group.

So, if they qualify directly by getting a result against Wales.. who gets that fourth spot in Pot 4?

Is it the "next best Group C" team

[Insidetherock]

Just checked the rules.. looks like Armenia are back in, if North Macedonia get a result against Wales.. they're the 3rd ranked Nations League C runners up.. but Kosovo and Slovakia will already have earned spots via the qualifiers

[rebelmusic]

Just checked the rules.. looks like Armenia are back in, if North Macedonia get a result against Wales.. they're the 3rd ranked Nations League C runners up.. but Kosovo and Slovakia will already have earned spots via the qualifiers

Can you imagine if they qualified after yesterday's result.....football is a funny sport.

I'd prefer a strong enough pot 4. There's every chance at least one of the Pot 4s will get a scalp.