COPENHAGEN, Denmark – The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is becoming clearer following a dramatic series of playoff semifinals across Europe on Thursday. Denmark, Poland, and Turkey all secured their places in the final round, while Kosovo delivered a stunning upset, defeating Slovakia in a thrilling encounter. The action sets the stage for a decisive set of matches on Tuesday, March 31st, with berths at the expanded 48-team tournament on the line.
Denmark Cruises, Italy Advances
Denmark emphatically booked their spot in the final with a dominant 4-0 victory over North Macedonia at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. Goals from Andreas Damsgaard, a brace from Gustav Isaksen, and Andreas Norgaard sealed the win for the Danes, who proved too strong for their opponents. The match was largely one-sided, with Denmark finding the net in the second half after a goalless first period.
Elsewhere, Italy also progressed to the final, overcoming Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo. Sandro Tonali opened the scoring for the Azzurri with a stunning volley, and Moise Kean added a second to secure the victory. Italy will now face Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the World Cup. A minute of silence was observed before the match to honor the passing of Atalanta legend Beppe Savoldi.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Czech Republic Win on Penalties
The Wales versus Bosnia and Herzegovina match was a nail-biter, ultimately decided by a penalty shootout. After a 1-1 draw, with Daniel James scoring for Wales and Edin Dzeko equalizing for Bosnia, the match went to penalties. Bosnia emerged victorious 5-3, thanks in part to goalkeeper Vasilj and an 18-year-ancient Alajbegovic converting the decisive penalty. Wales’ Johnson and Neco Williams both missed their spot-kicks, proving costly for the home side.
The Czech Republic also needed penalties to overcome the Republic of Ireland. The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with the Czechs ultimately winning the shootout 4-3.
Kosovo Stuns Slovakia, Gyokeres Shines for Sweden
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night came in Slovakia, where Kosovo pulled off a remarkable 4-3 victory. The result marks a significant milestone for Kosovo in their pursuit of World Cup qualification. Details of the scoring sequence were not immediately available, but the win sends Kosovo into the final round.
Sweden also secured their place in the final, defeating Ukraine 3-1, largely thanks to a hat-trick from Viktor Gyokeres. The Arsenal forward was in sensational form, leading the line for Sweden and proving too much for the Ukrainian defense.
Poland and Turkey Also Through
Poland defeated Albania 2-1, with Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet, while Turkey edged past Romania 1-0. These victories complete the lineup for the European playoff finals.
What’s Next?
All four European play-off finals will be played on Tuesday, March 31st at 7:45 PM GMT (3:45 PM ET). The stakes are high as these teams battle for a coveted spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcomes of these crucial matches, which will determine the final representatives from Europe.
Keep checking back with Archysport for continued coverage of the World Cup playoffs and all the latest news from the world of football.
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