2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Match Officials for UEFA Play-Offs Finals
Here are the match officials for the UEFA Play-Offs Finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The matches are scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026. This list features referees, assistant referees, fourth officials, VAR, and AVARs.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – ITALY
Path A Final
20:45 CET – Zenica (Stadion Bilino Polje)
Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès FRA
Fourth Official: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
FIFA Referee Assessor: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
FIFA Match Commissioner: Jirí Novák CZESWE
FIFA Match Commissioner: Jirí Novák CZE
SWEDEN – POLAND
Path B Final
20:45 CET – Solna (Strawberry Arena)
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenović SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
FIFA Referee Assessor: Matteo Simone Trefoloni ITA
FIFA Match Commissioner: Peter Oskam NED
KOSOVO – TÜRKIYE
Path C Final
20:45 CET – Pristina (Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri)
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Video Assistant Referee:
Assistant Video Assistant Referee:
FIFA Referee Assessor: Herbert Fandel GER
FIFA Match Commissioner: Filip Popovski MKD
CZECH REPUBLIC – DENMARK
Path D Final
20:45 CET – Prague (Epet Arena)
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2:Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Marco Guida ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
FIFA Referee Assessor: Stavros Tritsonis GRE Stefan Johannesson SWE
FIFA Match Commissioner: Nils Fisketjonn NOR
Dimarco: “I Never Disrespected Bosnia” | Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy | 2026 World Cup Playoffs
The match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 20:45, at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The stakes are incredibly high. A chance to qualify for the World Cup is at risk, and both teams are under immense pressure. Bosnia continues to hold onto its dreams, while Italy aims to steer clear of another haunting nightmare from its recent past.
Federico Dimarco stated during a press conference in Coverciano on Saturday, 28 March 2026:
“If we have the right mindset, we will bring home the result.” In Zenica, he will reunite with Dzeko, his former teammate at Inter: “A magnificent player and a magnificent person; I have maintained a great relationship with him.”
“The celebration gesture? I didn’t disrespect Bosnia, and I’m not arrogant. The footage was misleading. I called Dzeko immediately after the match.”
Game: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy, FIFA World Cup 2026 European play-off final When: Tuesday 31 March Time: 20:45 CET kick-off) Where: Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica
World Cup Playoffs 🇮🇹 Italy vs Bonia and Herzegovina
Tuesday 31 March 2026
Bilino Polje Stadium
Bergamo, Italy
👉 🇮🇹 Italy has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. On Thursday, March 26, Italy triumphed in the Playoff match held at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium. They secured a 2–0 victory over Northern Ireland, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.
In simple terms, it was crucial to achieve this as best as possible. Italy faced challenges but ultimately celebrated a win. They managed to set aside all worries and fears, even after a lackluster first half. It wasn’t until the second half that Italy discovered their scoring path. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma hardly had to intervene, acting almost as a spectator. The final hurdle for qualification is set for Tuesday.
With a remarkable head-to-head record, Italy has not lost to Northern Ireland since 1958. Italy has achieved seven consecutive clean sheets against them.
👉 🇮🇹 Italy 1 – 0 Northern Ireland
⚽️ Italy gains the upper hand in the 56th minute. Sandro Tonali scores with a right-footed shot that beats Northern Ireland’s goalkeeper, Pierce Charles, in the bottom right corner.
👉 🇮🇹 Italy 2 – 0 Northern Ireland
⚽️ Italy extends their lead in the 80th minute! Moise Kean scores with a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner. Sandro Tonali provides the assist. What a fantastic play by Italy! Pio Esposito passes to Tonali; the ball then goes to Kean, who skillfully controls it, turns, and blasts it into the net with his left foot. GOOAAALLLLL
5 – Prior to Moise #Kean, the last player to score in 5 matches in a row for Italy was Salvatore Schillaci between June and July 1990. Predator.#ITANIRpic.twitter.com/hXnaGRgYIT
Statistics: Italy has a flawless record against Northern Ireland, with five victories and two draws, and they have not conceded a single goal in their last seven encounters.
Here are some details about Northern Ireland, Italy’s opponent.
Currently ranked 69th in the FIFA Rankings, Northern Ireland secured their spot by finishing first in Nations League Group C. They placed third in Qualifying Group A, behind Germany and Slovakia, with a record of three wins and three losses. The two teams have met eleven times, with Italy winning seven matches, drawing three, and suffering one unfortunate defeat—a 2-1 loss on January 15, 1958, in Belfast, which cost the Azzurri a World Cup qualification. Their most recent encounter, also in Belfast, ended in a 0-0 draw during the final qualifier for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which led Italy to the play-offs.
The New Balance Arena is ready for Italy vs Northern Ireland
Credit via x.com/Atalanta_BC
🎶🎶 Fratelli d’Italia,
l’Italia s’è desta,
dell’elmo di Scipio
s’è cinta la testa.
Dov’è la Vittoria?
Le porga la chioma,
ché schiava di Roma
Iddio la creò. 🎶🎶
Italy’s national anthem ahead of its FIFA World Cup Qualifying playoff matchup against Northern Ireland 🎵🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/7XL9N4OZTU
