The inter-confederation draw has plotted Jamaica against New Caledonia and Bolivia against Suriname — with DR Congo and Iraq waiting in the two finals. Northern Ireland and Wales have been drawn in the same path as Italy, while Republic of Ireland will face Czech Republic before a potential home final against Denmark.

The Republic of Ireland have discovered their route to the World Cup 2026 finals after the draw for the play-offs was made. Troy Parrott ’s stunning last-minute winner against Hungary sent Ireland through to a play-off behind group winners Portugal, keeping their World Cup dreams alive.

All eyes will turn to Thursday's draw for the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, but who can Republic of Ireland face in March?

FIFA announced Tuesday the four pots that will be used to make the draw for the 2026 World Cup. The 48 countries will be drawn into 12 groups of four, and the groups will have one team from each pot. As the co-hosts, the trio Canada, Mexico and the United States are in Pot 1.

Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March but then would go on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.

Ireland have been drawn with co-hosts Sri Lanka and Australia in Group B for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe and Oman will make up the five-team group.

India play their first group match against USA in Mumbai on February 7, the opening day of the T20 World Cup. They then take on Namibia in Delhi on February 12, followed by Pakistan, and their final group game is against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18. There will be three matches a day during the group stage of the tournament.

As 2024 T20I World Cup winning captain Rohit Sharma said, Group A, featuring the intense India-Pakistan clash will be the 'toughest' group. "The boys are very excited," says skipper Suryakumar Yadav. T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Announcement Live: TEAM INDIA's FIXTURES AND DATES