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Euro 2024 play-off draw LIVE: Wales to meet Finland in first match of the final qualification stage

12 teams take part in a small qualifying play-off to determine which three will reach Euro 2024 next summer

Sonia Twigg
Thursday 23 November 2023 07:30 EST
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Related video: Page frustrated with officials as Wales' Euro 2024 hopes rest on playoffs

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Wales have been drawn against Finland in the Euro 2024 play-offs, where three of 12 nations will secure a place at the tournament in Germany next summer.

Consecutive 1-1 draws against Armenia and Turkey during the most recent international break meant Wales slipped beneath Croatia in Group D and now face a further play-off battle to reach the tournament. They have been drawn against Finland, and should they emerge victorious they will face the winner of Poland vs Estonia for a place in the main draw.

Rob Page’s side are no strangers to using this route of qualification for major tournaments having reached the 2022 World Cup by beating Austria in a home semi-final before overcoming Ukraine in Cardiff.

Ukraine themselves will be hoping for a better outcome this time around as they face the play-offs once more along with several of the best third place finishers from qualifying, and will travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina before a potential final against the winners of Israel vs Iceland. With a minimum of four sides needed for each of the three play-off paths, teams from lower Nations League tiers make up the numbers.

The play-off semi-finals will be held on Thursday 21 March before the finals take place five days later on Tuesday 26 March.

Follow the Euro 2024 play-off draw live below:

Wales to host Finland in Euro 2024 semi-final play-off

Wales have been drawn to host Finland in the semi-finals of the qualification play-offs for Euro 2024.

The match will take place on Thursday, March 21 at Cardiff City Stadium.

Should Rob Page’s men win that single-leg tie, they would then host either Poland or Estonia five days later at the same venue to play for a spot at next summer’s tournament in Germany.

Full report and draw:

Wales to host Finland in Euro 2024 semi-final play-off

The match will take place on Thursday, March 21 at Cardiff City Stadium.

Karl Matchett23 November 2023 12:30

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Here’s what the manager had to say after Wales failed to automatically qualify for the tournament:

Rob Page insists Wales can reach Euro 2024 by drawing on their successful World Cup play-off history.

Wales were consigned to the Euro play-offs in March after a controversial 1-1 draw with Turkey in Cardiff.

Neco Williams’ early strike was cancelled out by Yusuf Yazici’s second-half penalty – with Page suggesting Wales would have won with another referee – as the Dragons fell short in their bid to overtake Croatia for the second automatic qualifying place behind group winners Turkey.

Rob Page draws on play-off experience after Wales miss out on Euro qualification

The Dragons finished third in Group D after a controversial 1-1 draw with Turkey.

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 12:15

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Wales manager Page had some words to say about his own future:

Rob Page says he is “absolutely” the right man to lead Wales in the Euro 2024 play-offs despite his position being under review.

Page has already started planning for the March play-offs and will attend Thursday’s draw in Switzerland when Wales will learn the identity of their semi-final opponents.

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney cast doubts over Page’s future last month by saying a “serious review” would take place after the final qualifiers “when everything will be settled”.

Rob Page ‘absolutely’ adamant he will lead Wales into Euro 2024 play-offs

The draw on Thursday will decide whether Finland, Iceland or Ukraine will be Wales’ semi-final opponents in March.

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:55

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Wales must navigate the play-offs in March to reach the European Championship finals next summer.

If they do so, it will be Wales’ fourth major tournament out of the last five.

Here’s a look at Wales’ Euro 2024 story, and what happens next:

What happens next for Wales as they look to book a place at Euro 2024?

The Dragons are hoping history will repeat itself after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup through the play-offs.

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:35

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Rob Page says he is “absolutely” the right man to lead Wales in the Euro 2024 play-offs despite his position being under review.

Page has already started planning for the March play-offs and will attend Thursday’s draw in Switzerland when Wales will learn the identity of their semi-final opponents.

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney cast doubts over Page’s future last month by saying a “serious review” would take place after the final qualifiers “when everything will be settled”.

Rob Page ‘absolutely’ adamant he will lead Wales into Euro 2024 play-offs

The draw on Thursday will decide whether Finland, Iceland or Ukraine will be Wales’ semi-final opponents in March.

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:33

Euro 2024 play-off draw

And path C:

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:23

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Path B:

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:23

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Here is a full summary of the draw, starting with Path A:

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:22

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Wales have recently been successful in the play-offs, beating Scotland and Ukraine to secure a place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup - their first time in the competition since 1958.

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:21

Euro 2024 play-off draw

Wales have two home matches and their path is laid out by the national team on social media:

Sonia Twigg23 November 2023 11:19

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