World Cup: Supercomputer predicts if Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales will win this week’s play-off semi-finals
World Cup play-off ties will take place on Thursday, with the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales all set for European semi-finals.
Troy Parrott’s sensational hat-trick against Hungary in November secured Ireland’s place in the play-offs, and they will travel to take on Czechia for their semi-final.
Northern Ireland finished third behind Germany and Slovakia in group A, and will play Italy away in Bergamo.
Wales are the only nation of the three to boast a home tie in the semi-finals, as they host Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The final of each route will be played on Tuesday next week, with a place in this summer’s World Cup on the line.
Supercomputer backs Wales but bad news for Ireland, Northern Ireland
Football Insider exclusively revealed this month that Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan want to sign Parrott this summer, such is the striker attracting interest.
The 24-year-old has scored an extraordinary 28 goals across all competitions this season, and became Ireland’s greatest hope when he netted a hat-trick in November.
| Troy Parrott | Eredivisie 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 23 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Chances created | 21 |
| Successful dribbles | 11 |
| Duels won | 93 |
The hopes of a nation will again be resting on the former Tottenham man’s shoulders on Thursday, with an uphill battle expected in Prague.
Opta‘s supercomputer has handed Ireland just a 24 per cent chance of progressing to the final, which will be played against Denmark or North Macedonia next week.
The situation is even more difficult for Northern Ireland, who play four-time World Cup winners Italy.
The European giants have not qualified for the last two World Cups, and will be eager to finally return to the international grand stage.
The supercomputer has handed Northern Ireland just an 11.9 per cent chance of causing a shock in Bergamo.
That leaves Wales, who are led by the stunning form of Fulham star Harry Wilson, and will have Cardiff City Stadium behind them on Thursday.
Craig Bellamy’s men have, by far, the best chance of going through, with the supercomputer predicting a 60.2 per cent chance of progression to a final against Northern Ireland or Italy.
What World Cup groups will each nation be in?
Unfortunately, one of the three nations is set to miss out, with Wales and Northern Ireland to face each other in the final if both team wins their semi-final.
The winner of that path will be placed into World Cup group B, which also contains Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Ireland, should they emerge successful in play-off path D, will be placed into Group A alongside host nation Mexico.
The group also contains South Africa and South Korea, who will be Ireland’s potential first opponents.