Euro 2024 playoffs draw: Wales to host Finland in semi-final as path revealed
Wales have been drawn to host Finland in the semi-finals of the qualification playoffs for Euro 2024. The match will take place on 21 March 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 to play for a place at next summer’s tournament in Germany after the draw handed the winner of their semi-final home advantage in the decider.
Finland finished third in Northern Ireland’s qualifying group – four points behind both Denmark and Slovenia – after winning six of their 10 fixtures. They sit 62nd in the Fifa rankings, 34 places below Wales, and are aiming to qualify for the European Championship for only the second time following their debut at Euro 2020.
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Euro 2024 playoff draw
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Wales are seeking to secure a third successive appearance at the finals and reach a fourth major tournament out of the last five after last year ending their 64-year wait to play at the World Cup. They finished third in Group D of qualifying, behind pool winners Turkey and second-placed Croatia.
“We were wanting to avoid Ukraine so it’s gone to plan for us,” said Page. “The form we’re in at the minute and with the ‘Red Wall’ at home, we’ll take anyone on in Cardiff. It’s a great opportunity for us. We’re hoping now for two big efforts.”
Just three of the 24 places at Euro 2024 remain up for grabs, with Wales attempting to navigate Path A of the playoffs. In Path B, Israel face a semi-final against Iceland following Thursday’s draw at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, while Bosnia and Herzegovina will host Ukraine, who came third in England’s group.
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Georgia take on fellow potential tournament debutants Luxembourg in Path C, while Kazakhstan travel to 2004 champions Greece in the other semi-final of that route.