Four World Cup spots on the line as Italy, Kosovo, Sweden and Denmark face playoff finals tonight
The stakes could not be higher. Four matches, four winners, four places at a World Cup. The losers go home and spend the next four years wondering what might have been. Every game is a one-off knockout tie, and each carries its own story.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy (Path A)
Italy have not played at a World Cup since 2014. Let that sink in. A nation with four World Cup titles missed 2018 after losing a playoff to Sweden. They missed 2022 after a stunning home defeat to North Macedonia. Now they head to Zenica’s Bilino Polje Stadium knowing a third consecutive absence would be one of the great embarrassments in football history.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final, with Sandro Tonali providing a goal and an assist. Tonali and Nicolo Barella will need to control the midfield against a Bosnia team energised by their own semi-final win, a penalty shootout victory over Wales. Edin Dzeko, now 40 and playing for Schalke, remains Bosnia’s talisman and scored the equaliser that kept their Welsh tie alive. The stadium’s capacity is 15,600 but FIFA reduced it to 9,000 for this match due to a stadium ban, and every available seat was snapped up hours after Bosnia’s semi-final victory.
Sweden vs Poland (Path B)
Sweden finished a disappointing fourth in their qualifying group but rescued their campaign through the Nations League route. A 3-1 semi-final win over Ukraine showed they can perform when it matters. Poland, who have Robert Lewandowski’s experience to lean on, will test whether that was a one-off or the start of something more consistent.
Kosovo vs Turkey (Path C)
This is the best story of the lot. Kosovo, a country that only became a FIFA member in 2016, are 90 minutes away from their first World Cup. Their semi-final, a wild 4-3 win over Slovakia, showed they have the nerve to compete in high-pressure situations. Turkey will be heavy favourites, but Kosovo have already beaten the odds to get here.
Czechia vs Denmark (Path D)
Denmark thrashed North Macedonia 4-0 in the semi-final and arrive in Prague in confident form. Czechia will have home advantage at their disposal, and European qualifiers in Prague tend to be tight, physical affairs. Denmark’s squad depth should give them the edge, but nothing is guaranteed in a one-off game.
What else is at stake
The inter-confederation playoff between DR Congo and Jamaica also takes place today in Mexico, with a second tie between Iraq and Bolivia scheduled for Wednesday. Those matches decide two more World Cup berths.
By midnight, we will know whether Italy have ended their 12-year exile from football’s biggest stage, whether Kosovo have written the most extraordinary chapter in their short footballing history, and whether the 2026 World Cup field is finally complete.
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