Discover Ireland’s Possible Rivals in World Cup Playoff Semi-Final Draw
The European World Cup qualifiers have wrapped up, revealing potential rivals for the Republic of Ireland in the playoff semi-finals. On March 26th, Ireland is set to compete against either Poland, Wales, Czechia, or Slovakia.
Upcoming Matches and Dates
The playoff finals are scheduled for March 31st. The draw for these playoffs will take place at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Thursday, with Ireland’s coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, attending.
Current Standings and Pot Distribution
A key match saw Wales secure a dominant 7-1 win over North Macedonia, which ultimately affected Ireland’s positioning. Consequently, Ireland will be positioned in Pot 3 for the draw.
- Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine
- Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czechia, Slovakia
- Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo
- Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland
Ireland’s path to the playoffs was highlighted by Troy Parrott’s impressive five goals, contributing to recent victories against Portugal and Hungary. These achievements have set the stage for the upcoming challenges.
Playoff Format and Venue Confirmation
The hosting teams for the semi-finals must finalize their stadiums by December 19th. Thursday’s draw will also outline four playoff paths, designated as A, B, C, and D. Each path includes two semi-final pairings, where Pot 1 teams will face Pot 4 teams, while Pot 2 teams will meet Pot 3 teams.
Contextual News
Scotland made headlines by defeating Denmark 4-2, marking their World Cup qualification for the first time since 1998. This result places Denmark in Pot 1, a familiar foe for Ireland in previous World Cup qualifying rounds.
