What to look out for in European World Cup play-offs

The World Cup play-offs start on Thursday with four European spaces up for grabs for this summer’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina in one of eight semi-finals, while Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland play in Italy and the Czech Republic respectively.

The play-offs are comprised of 16 teams – the 12 teams who finished second in their World Cup qualifying groups and the four best-ranked Nations League group winners who missed out via qualifying.

Northern Ireland last qualified for a World Cup in 1986, when it was held in Mexico.

If they beat Italy – which they have not done since 1958 – they could face a trip to Wales for the play-off final.

The game will be played at Atalanta’s home ground in Bergamo. Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says the venue will suit his side more than playing at iconic venues such as Milan’s San Siro or Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga.

Sweden are not short of talent, yet they face the prospect of not reaching the World Cup.

They finished bottom of their qualifying group but reached the play-offs by finishing first in their Nations League pool.

Graham Potter’s side will travel to Valencia to face Ukraine at a neutral ground because of the war in Ukraine.

After a tumultuous time managing Chelsea and West Ham, Potter has returned to the country where he first found success.

Potter managed Swedish side Ostersunds FK between 2011 and 2018, leading them to their first Swedish Cup win in 2017.

Sweden have not won since Potter took charge, losing 4-1 to Switzerland and drawing 1-1 with Slovenia.

It has been 12 years since Italy last reached football’s global stage, and their fate this summer lies in manager Gennaro Gattuso’s hands.

Italy won six of their eight World Cup qualifiers, losing twice to Norway as they finished behind the Scandinavian team in their group, and Gattuso expressed his discontent about playing two play-offs to reach the finals.

“In my day, the best runners-up went straight to the World Cup. Now the rules have changed,” he said.

The former midfielder won 73 caps for Italy and was a member of their 2006 World Cup-winning side, but his reign as manager could be cut short if they lose to Northern Ireland.

Robert Lewandowski is aiming to reach his third World Cup with Poland, who face Albania at home in their play-off semi-final.

The 37-year-old has played 163 games for Poland and is their all-time top scorer with 88 goals.

Poland are unbeaten in six games, but Albania have lost only two of their past 10 – both against England.

In his past seven appearances for Poland Lewandowski has three goals and four assists.

The Barcelona striker scored his only goal at a World Cup against Saudi Arabia in Qatar in 2022.