GB Path of Rivals: UK Nations Set Up for Unprecedented All-British World Cup Final

The drama of the World Cup playoffs is heavily concentrated in Path A, which features Wales, Northern Ireland, and the intimidating presence of Italy. The draw has created an unprecedented opportunity for an all-British final, pitting the two neighbours against each other for a coveted World Cup spot.
For this derby dream to happen, Northern Ireland must perform the impossible by defeating Italy away from home in their semi-final. This would be one of the greatest upsets in British football history and would generate massive global interest.
Wales, who enjoy two potential home games in Cardiff, must take care of business against Bosnia & Herzegovina first. If both UK nations progress, the final in Cardiff would be the highest-stakes cross-border rivalry match in recent memory, deciding who reaches the 2026 World Cup.
The Republic of Ireland, in a separate Path D, is focused on their away trip to the Czech Republic, seeking the win that would guarantee them a potential home final against either Denmark or North Macedonia, a significant prize in its own right.
The semi-finals on March 26 pave the way for the finals on March 31. All eyes, particularly in the UK, are now fixed on Path A, where a historic rivalry final is tantalizingly possible.