World Cup play-offs LIVE: Turkey host Romania before Italy and Denmark headline late games

Turkey squad in training
Turkey squad in trainingHAKAN AKGUN / ANADOLU / ANADOLU VIA AFP

The last chance for some of Europe's biggest nations to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is here. Time for selection mistakes and slip-ups is over - it is win or miss out for another four years. It is decision time.

Today's highlights

• Turkey begin the play-off semi-finals in Istanbul against Romania with an exciting group of players holding the hopes of a nation on their backs, but Romania are a good side and won't be pushovers

• That is followed by the other seven matches, which include former winners Italy, who are looking to avoid missing out for a third consecutive World Cup and yet more national embarrassment when they host Northern Ireland

• The other standout fixture is Czechia against the Republic of Ireland - can Troy Parrott produce more heroics for the visitors, or will the hosts andfavourites go through?

All the play-off semi-final fixtures 

Turkey vs Romania - 18:00 CET

Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland - 20:45 CET

Denmark vs North Macedonia - 20:45 CET 

Italy vs Northern Ireland - 20:45 CET

Poland vs Albania - 20:45 CET

Slovakia vs Kosovo - 20:45 CET

Ukraine vs Sweden - 20:45 CET

Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina - 20:45 CET

Key updates to keep you informed:

12:30 CET - Good afternoon and welcome to play-off semi-final day! It is a huge day for nations in Europe that have yet to book their plane for the United States this summer. Turkey and Romania get the action-packed evening started at 18:00 CET before the other seven games get underway at 20:45 CET

Turkey vs Romania recent head-to-head record
Turkey vs Romania recent head-to-head recordFlashscore

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