- Title: FILE: Paths C and D comprises teams desperate to end their World Cup hiatuses
- Date: 22nd March 2026
- Summary: NORTHERN ISRAEL (MARCH 22, 2026) (REUTERS) ISRAELI ARMY HELICOPTERS FLYING OVERHEAD IN NORTHERN ISRAEL KIRYAT SHMONA, ISRAEL (MARCH 22, 2026) (REUTERS) SIREN BLARING OVER THE CITY LOCATED NEAR THE LEBANESE BORDER DURING A HEZBOLLAH ROCKET ATTACK NORTHERN ISRAEL (MARCH 22, 2026) (REUTERS) ISRAELI INTERCEPTOR IN CLOUDY SKY OBJECT FLYING OVERHEAD LEAVING BEHIND TRAIL OF WHIT
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: 2026 FIFA World Cup Path C Path D UEFA Playoffs
- Location: VARIOUS
- City: VARIOUS
- Country: Various
- Topics: Sport,World Cup
- Reuters ID: LVA004463316032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:UEFA playoffs paths C and D have a mix of possible World Cup debutants and a host of teams aiming to end their respective hiatuses from the global showpiece.
Path C sees Slovakia host Kosovo, who have never qualified for a World Cup, and Turkey, who last qualified in 2002 when they finished the tournament third, welcoming Romania to Istanbul in the semi-finals.
Winner of the Path C final will advance to Group D alongside tournament co-hosts United States, Paraguay and Australia.
In Path D, the Czech Republic, who last featured at a World Cup in 2006, and Ireland, who last sealed qualification in 2002, meet in Prague, while Denmark and another potential debutant in North Macedonia face off in Copenhagen.
The overall Path D winner will join co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.
(Production: Stefan Haskins) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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