Italy will face Northern Ireland in the European playoffs in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup while Sweden will meet Ukraine.

Four-times world champions Italy again failed to secure direct qualification after finishing second in their group as they seek to qualify for the first time since the 2014 edition.

They were knocked out in the playoffs the last two times, amid much national anguish, and enter the second round as top seeds, with a potential final against either another British side Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina to qualify.

Northern Ireland have not qualified since 1986 and have beaten Italy just once in11 meetings, back in 1958.

New Sweden boss Graham Potter's side must first get past Ukraine, while Poland face Albania in the other semi-final in their pathway. The Swe

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