Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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
Comments
Related video: Page frustrated with officials as Wales' Euro 2024 hopes rest on playoffs

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

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

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in