The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and the final six spots are still up for grabs in the European and intercontinental playoffs. With the tournament set to kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, the race to secure a place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States is on. Here's a breakdown of the remaining qualification matches and the teams vying for those coveted spots.
Europe
Path A: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy
Bosnia and Herzegovina, with home advantage in Zenica, will be looking to cause an upset against the four-time world champions, Italy. Italy, led by the experienced squad of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali, and Manuel Locatelli, will be strong favorites. Bosnia's recent victory over Wales in the semifinals, thanks to a dramatic 86th-minute goal from Edin Dzeko, gives them a glimmer of hope. However, Italy's pedigree and morale boost from their own semifinal win make them the clear favorites to progress.
Path B: Sweden vs. Poland
In a closely fought encounter, Sweden and Poland will battle it out in Stockholm. Sweden, under the guidance of former Chelsea and West Ham United boss Graham Potter, has been underperforming in qualifiers. Yet, their home advantage and the confidence of a big win against Ukraine could give them an edge. Poland, on the other hand, has been on a roll, winning against Albania and running the Netherlands close in their qualifying group. Recent form suggests Poland will be favorites, but Sweden's home advantage and morale could tip the balance in their favor.
Path C: Kosovo vs. Türkiye
Kosovo, the lowest-ranked European nation in the competition, has defied the odds by reaching the final. Their young, bold, and energetic team, led by Franco Foda, has the potential to shock Türkiye. Türkiye, stacked with top talent like Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoglu, and Kenan Yildiz, has won the two previous meetings between the teams. However, Kosovo's passionate atmosphere at Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina could be a game-changer, making it a close call.
Path D: Czechia vs. Denmark
Czechia and Denmark will face off in Prague, with the Danes being strong favorites. Denmark, led by coach Brian Riemer and featuring stars like Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Højlund, and Christian Norgaard, has shown its quality with a dominant win over North Macedonia. The question remains whether they can handle the pressure of being favorites. Czechia, on the other hand, fought back from a 2-0 deficit against the Republic of Ireland, showcasing their resilience. The outcome of this match will depend on whether Denmark can maintain their form and handle the heat.
Intercontinental Playoffs
Pathway 1: Congo DR vs. Jamaica
Congo DR, nicknamed the 'Warriors of the Equator', boasts a squad with top-level European experience. Their opponents, Jamaica, struggled in their semifinal against New Caledonia. Congo DR's strength and European experience make them favorites to secure the final spot in Group K.
Pathway 2: Iraq vs. Bolivia
Iraq's preparations have been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but they will still be a formidable force. Bolivia, on the other hand, has been on a roll, winning against Suriname in their semifinal. With no competitive games since December, Iraq might struggle against a well-prepared Bolivia, who have shown their match readiness.
The final six teams will be confirmed on Tuesday, and the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to be a thrilling and unpredictable journey.
