On Thursday, November 20, the draw for the 2025 World Cup qualifying play-offs took place to determine who would advance to the final part of the world championship, which also determined the first opponent at this stage for the Ukrainian team.
Recall that the play-off participants are 12 teams that finished second in their 2026 World Cup qualifying groups, as well as the 4 best group winners from the 2024/25 Nations League who did not finish first or second in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group. These 16 teams will compete for the last 4 European spots in the world championship.
The play-off consists of four separate paths with four teams each. Each of these 'fours' will hold semi-finals and a final, the winner of which will reach the world championship.
As a result of the draw, Ukraine was placed in path 'B', where it will play Sweden in the play-off semi-final, and this match will be nominally at home for the 'blue and yellows'. Poland and Albania will play in the second semi-final of this path.
The host of the path 'B' final will be the winner of the Ukraine — Sweden pair — this was also decided by the draw.
Results of the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Play-offs Draw
Path A
Italy — Northern Ireland
Wales — Bosnia and Herzegovina
Path B
UKRAINE — Sweden
Poland — Albania
Path C
Turkey — Romania
Slovakia — Kosovo
Path D
Denmark — North Macedonia
Czech Republic — Ireland.
Also note that the play-off semi-finals will be held on March 26, 2026, and the finals on March 31.
