Can Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland reach the World Cup 2026

Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland are all two wins from a place at the 2026 World Cup, with England and Scotland having already secured automatic qualification from their respective groups. With single-leg knockout ties on 26 and 31 March, you can access the LiveScore Bet app on your smartphone to follow all the action and back your predictions as the drama unfolds. Single-leg knockout ties on 26 and 31 March leave absolutely no room for error, and here is what each nation faces and who is likely to make it.

Wales

Wales’ first match of the playoffs will see them host Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26. Craig Bellamy's side finished second to Belgium in Group J of the qualifiers, arriving at this stage on the back of a 7-1 demolition of North Macedonia that secured them both a seeded position and home advantage for the tie.

Wales go into this as clear favourites, ranked 36 places above Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIFA world rankings, though the head-to-head record makes for uncomfortable reading. Wales have never beaten Bosnia in their four previous meetings, having drawn twice and lost twice, including a 2-0 defeat in Zenica during Euro 2016 qualifying.

However, this is a very different Welsh side, with the likes of Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, Joe Rodon, and Nico Williams. The concern going into this tie is fitness, with Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, and Jordan James all currently unavailable.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland, without a doubt, have the toughest job of the three, as they travel to Bergamo to face Italy. Italy, ranked 13th in the FIFA world rankings compared to Northern Ireland's 69th, finished second in Group I behind Norway but remain one of the most dangerous sides in European football on their day.

Gli Azzurri are the easy favourites, and the historical record does nothing to encourage Northern Ireland either. Italy have not lost to Northern Ireland since 1958 and have not conceded against them in seven matches since 1961. That said, Italy's own playoff record is a source of anxiety for their supporters, having missed both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups through playoff failures. Northern Ireland will be hoping to pile on that pressure and make the Azzurri feel every bit of the weight of expectation.

Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland's first match of the playoffs will see them travel to the Fortuna Arena in Prague to face the Czech Republic. Heimir Hallgrimsson's side finished second in Group F behind Portugal, reaching this stage in dramatic fashion thanks to Troy Parrott's hat-trick in Budapest that sealed back-to-back wins over Portugal and Hungary in November.

The Czech Republic had a miserable qualifying campaign, finishing second in Group G behind Portugal but in the most unconvincing fashion imaginable. They were hammered 5-1 by Croatia, suffered a historic 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands.

Ireland go into this as slight favourites despite being away from home, and the head-to-head record across 20 meetings stretching back to 1938 gives them plenty of reason for confidence. The sides have been evenly matched across competitive fixtures, including a famous 2-1 win for Ireland in Prague during Euro 1968 qualifying and a 2-1 friendly win in Dublin in 2004. The most recent competitive meeting ended 1-0 to the Czechs in 2007, but neither nation will be short of motivation when they meet later this month.

Who will make it to North America?

Wales and Northern Ireland are both in Path A, meaning the winners of their respective semi-finals will face each other in the final on the final day of March, so only one of them can qualify. Wales should get through against Bosnia, and Northern Ireland, despite their fighting qualities, face too steep a task against Italy at home. For Ireland, a win in Prague would set up a home final against either Denmark or North Macedonia and a genuine shot at their first World Cup since 2002. Of the three, Wales look the most likely to qualify, with Ireland close behind, and Northern Ireland facing the hardest road of all.