At the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland today took place the draw for the European play-offs for determining the last four qualifying spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, USA and Mexico.

photo: Martin Dahlin draws Macedonia

Macedonia in the draw was placed in the Pot 4 together with the other League C group winners of the 2024/25 Nations League. Macedonia, Sweden, Romania and Northern Ireland failed to earn a place via the regular qualifiers and therefore used the Nations League path thanks to the fact the the League A and B group winners all qualified to the world Cup or secured a play-off spot as runners-up.

Thew draw decided that Macedonia will play against Denmark of Pot 1, as Pot 4 was paired with Pot 1 in the semifinal play-off, while Pot 2 with Pot 3. The winner of the tie will then face the winner of the semifinal match between Czechia and Ireland with the host being the second semifinal winner. The overall winner will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The semifinal matches are scheduled for 26 March, while the finals for 31 March. The losers in each semifinal path will play a friendly against each other on the 31st.

Past encounters against Denmark:

07.09.1994 1:1 draw (match report) Q
26.04.1995 0:1 defeat (match report) Q
06.02.2013 3:0 win (match report) F

Rewatch the draw: