The Republic of Ireland will face either Poland, Wales, Czechia or Slovakia in the World Cup 2026 qualifier in March.
With the completion of the final round of group games this evening, Ireland were left in pot 3 of the draw, having previously hoped to be in pot 2.
Ireland were hoping that North Macedonia could avoid defeat to Wales along with Austria taking a point or better against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
While Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina played out a 1-1 draw, Wales hammered North Macedonia 7-1 and they will take their place in pot 2 at Ireland's expense.
Ireland will play either Poland, Wales, Czechia or Slovakia away from home and should they come through that qualifier, will have a match against the winners of a game from a pot 1 versus pot 4 tie for a place at the World Cup.
Pot 1 Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine
Pot 2 Poland, Wales, Czechia, Slovakia
Pot 3 Ireland, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo
Pot 4 Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland
Skipper Harry Wilson scored a hat-trick as rampant Wales secured that home semi-final advantage with a 7-1 victory over North Macedonia.
Wilson and David Brooks gave Wales a healthy first-half lead before Bojan Miovski replied instantly in a frenetic five-minute spell.
Brennan Johnson restored the two-goal cushion before the break and Daniel James swept home before Wilson, who was captaining Wales for the first time, took centre stage.
Wilson dispatched a fabulous free-kick before converting his second penalty of the night, and substitute Nathan Broadhead added late gloss as Wales struck seven for the first time 1978.
Belgium sealed top spot and a seat at the 2026 World Cup with a 7-0 romp over group minnows Liechtenstein in Liege as Wales head into the March play-offs in fine spirits.
Austria qualified for the World Cup after snatching a 77th minute equaliser through Michael Gregoritsch against visitors Bosnia and Herzegovina to earn a 1-1 draw.
It will be Austria's first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.
Bosnia, who took a 12th minute lead with Haris Tabakovic's header, finish second in the group and join Ireland in pot 3.
Spain secured their place at the World Cup after a nervy 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville.
The European champions took an early lead through Dani Olmo in the fourth minute but Turkey, who needed an almost impossible seven-goal victory to claim the group, managed to equalise through Deniz Gul in the 42nd minute.
Turkey then stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the 54th minute thanks to a Salih Ozcan strike from the edge of the box.
However, Mikel Oyarzabal levelled the match eight minutes later to avoid what would have been Spain's first home defeat in a qualifier and Turkey had to settle for a place in the playoffs.
Switzerland qualified for next the World Cup despite being held 1-1 by Kosovo, as Florent Muslija's superb strike cancelled out Ruben Vargas' early second-half goal for the visitors.
Switzerland finished top of Group B with 14 points, completing an unbeaten qualifying campaign. Kosovo secured second place with 11 points and a berth in pot 3.
Belgium hammered Liechtenstein 7-0 to confirm their berth at next year's World Cup, finishing their campaign unbeaten.
