Sweden's men's football team will enter a nerve-wracking playoff for the World Cup this spring. The first step will be a semi-final on neutral ground against Ukraine on March 26, and now Ukraine has chosen the venue.
Estadio Ciudad de Valencia – or Estadi Ciutat de València in Valencian – is normally the home ground of La Liga team Levante. Now the first step in Sweden's World Cup bid will be decided at the stadium.
If Blågult defeats Ukraine, a decisive final match for a World Cup ticket awaits against either Poland or Albania. That match will be played at Strawberry Arena in Solna five days later.
The semi-final is being played in Spain due to Russia's war of invasion of Ukraine. While the war is ongoing, the Ukrainian national team cannot play its matches at home. The last time Ukraine played at home was in a friendly match against Bulgaria in November 2021.
Facts: Europe's playoff matches
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Semi-finals: Italy–Northern Ireland and Wales–Bosnia-Herzegovina. Final: Italy/Northern Ireland–Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Semi-finals: Ukraine–Sweden and Poland–Albania. Final: Ukraine/Sweden–Poland/Albania.
Semi-finals: Turkey–Romania and Slovakia–Kosovo. Final: Turkey/Romania–Slovakia/Kosovo.
Semi-finals: Denmark–North Macedonia and Czech Republic–Ireland. Final: Denmark/North Macedonia–Czech Republic/Ireland.
The semi-finals will be played on March 26. The finals on March 31.
The final winners are ready for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
