Wales Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland find out World Cup play-off opponents

Northern Ireland have been drawn to play Italy in the semi-finals of the World Cup play-offs, while Wales face Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Ireland take on the Czech Republic.

Should Wales and Northern Ireland both win, they will play each other for a place at the finals in North America next summer after the draw was made by FIFA on Thursday

Wales would be at home for the final, but with two home nations potentially facing each other, one of the teams from the British Isles definitely won’t be there.

Northern Ireland’s Italian challenge

If the Republic of Ireland, who booked their spot in dramatic fashion thanks to a last-gasp victory over Hungary, get past the Czechs, they will take on either Denmark or North Macedonia.

Northern Ireland, who qualified through the Nations League, have the toughest task of the three – at least on paper – against the Azzurri, who have won the World Cup four times, but last qualified in 2014.

They have only beaten Italy once in 11 meetings – in 1958.

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Northern Ireland have appeared in world football’s biggest tournament three times, the last in 1986.

Wales, who ended their qualifying campaign with a thumping 7-1 victory over North Macedonia, will be trying to reach their second finals in a row and their third overall.

The Republic’s footballers last qualified in 2002, their third appearance in the finals.