Photograph: Ryan Byrne/InphoThe Republic of Ireland will be away to one of Poland, Wales, the Czech Republic or Slovakia in a World Cup playoff semi-final next March. A 7-1 victory for Wales over North Macedonia in Cardiff confirmed Ireland will be in Pot 3 for Thursday’s playoff draw in Zurich. The four teams in Pot 4 – Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland – qualified for the playoffs via the Nations League. North Macedonia responded immediately with Bojan Miovski capitalising on some slack defending to slide the ball home inside the near post, 2-1. The four teams from Pot 1 on Thursday morning will be drawn against the four teams from Pot 4.

Source: The Irish Times November 18, 2025 22:42 UTC