The two home nations were placed on the same pathway during Thursday’s 16-team European draw held at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, meaning they will face each other in a one-off final for a place at next summer’s expanded tournament in North America if they each come through their respective one-legged semi-final matches.
That will be easier said than done however, with Northern Ireland travelling to face Italy and Wales hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Republic of Ireland were placed on path D and will travel to Prague to meet Czechia in their semi-final tie, with the winners facing either Denmark or North Macedonia.
Semi-final 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Semi-final 3: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final 4: Poland vs Albania
Semi-final 5: Turkey vs Romania
Semi-final 6: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Semi-final 7: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final 8: Czechia vs Republic of Ireland
Intercontinental play-off draw
New Caledonia vs Jamaica (winners to face DR Congo in final)
Bolivia vs Suriname (winners to face Iraq in final)
