The 2026 FIFA World Cup (World Cup 2026 dates) will run from 11 June to 19 July 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, with the Republic of Ireland hoping to qualify via the UEFA play-offs. Ireland’s route goes through a March 2026 play-off semi-final away to one of Poland, Wales, Czechia or Slovakia, followed by a potential final for a ticket to North America.
World Cup 2026 dates
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off on Thursday, 11 June 2026, with the opening match scheduled at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. The tournament concludes with the final on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at the New York/New Jersey stadium in the United States.
In between, 104 matches will be played across the three host nations in a packed 39‑day schedule. Group-stage fixtures and precise kick-off times will only be finalised after the main tournament draw, which FIFA plans to hold in December 2025.
Hosts, venues and a new 48‑team format
The 2026 World Cup is the first edition to be hosted by three countries, shared between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Sixteen cities will stage games, including major venues in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
The tournament also expands from 32 to 48 teams, increasing Europe’s allocation to 16 direct qualifiers plus four play-off winners from UEFA. FIFA has approved a group-stage format of 12 groups of four, with more knockout matches and a longer overall schedule than previous World Cups.
How UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifying works
In UEFA qualifying, group winners go straight to the World Cup, while runners-up and selected Nations League group winners move into the play-offs. Sixteen teams contest these play-offs, which are split into four paths of four teams; each path produces one World Cup qualifier.
Every path has two single-leg semi-finals and one single-leg final, meaning a team must win twice, once in the semi-final and once in the final, to reach the tournament. Seeded teams based on FIFA rankings are placed in Pots 1 and 2, while Pots 3 and 4 contain lower-ranked sides.
Ireland’s position in the play-offs
The Republic of Ireland finished runners-up in their qualifying group, securing a place in the UEFA play-offs rather than automatic qualification. Results elsewhere left them in Pot 3 for the play‑off draw, behind the stronger nations in Pots 1 and 2.
Being in Pot 3 means Ireland will not be seeded and must play away in the semi-final, a single-leg tie with no second chance. If Ireland win that game, they then face a final against the winner of a Pot 1 vs Pot 4 semi-final, with home advantage for that final determined by the draw.
Who can the Republic of Ireland face?
Ireland’s confirmed potential opponents in the World Cup play-off semi-final are four Pot 2 sides: Poland, Wales, Czechia and Slovakia. All four semi-finals in the UEFA paths will match a Pot 2 team at home against a Pot 3 team away, placing Ireland on the road in March.
Each of these teams brings a different challenge. Poland has star quality and a strong recent tournament record, Wales has a proven big‑game mentality in play-offs, while Czechia and Slovakia are organised, compact and difficult to break down. Any of the four would be favourites on paper, but Ireland’s recent results have shown they can be competitive with higher-ranked opposition.
Play-off dates and draw details
The UEFA World Cup 2026 play-off semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, 26 March 2026, with all ties played as single matches. The play-off finals, which will decide the four European teams earning the final World Cup slots, are set for Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
The draw to determine Ireland’s exact opponent and potential final path takes place in Zurich, with UEFA confirming it will be held at 12:00 local time on the designated draw day. That draw will determine which Pot 1 and Pot 4 sides could face in a final should Ireland progress from their away semi-final.
Ireland’s potential route to North America
For Ireland, the road to World Cup 2026 can be broken into two critical steps: win away in March, then win a final against higher- or similarly‑ranked opposition. Victory in the semi-final against one of Poland, Wales, Czechia or Slovakia would leave them ninety minutes from qualifying for a first World Cup since 2002.
If Ireland reaches the path final and wins, they will join the expanded European contingent heading to host venues across the USA, Canada and Mexico from 11 June 2026. With 48 teams and more knockout places available, the tournament offers a rare opportunity, but the March play-offs will decide whether Ireland’s campaign ends in spring or stretches into a North American summer.