World Cup 2026 playoffs: Sweden v Poland, Czech Republic v Denmark, Kosovo v Turkey – live
Key events
Teams: Czech Republic v Denmark
Czech Republic XI (3-5-2): Kovar; Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Provod, Soucek, Darida, Zeleny; Schick, Sulc.
Subs: Hornicek, Jedlicka, Holes, Vitik, Karabec, Kliment, Cerv, Chytil, Jurasek, Sadilek, Chory, Visinsky.
Denmark XI (4-3-3): Hermansen; Bah, Andersen, Nelsson, Maehle; Hojbjrg, Hjulmand, Froholdt; Isaksen, Hojlund, Damsgaard.
Subs: Jungdal, Ronnow, Hogsberg, Nartey, Jensen, Eriksen, Osula, Provstgaard, Nørgaard, Hogh, Nartey, Dreyer.
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Preamble
Hello and welcome to a crucial World Cup qualification day. Eight European countries, four spots up for grabs at this summer’s marquee event in Canada, the United States and Mexico, with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Poland, Sweden and Turkey all one win away from qualifying.
The Czech Republic, who edged out the Republic of Ireland on penalties take on Denmark. The winner will join Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
Turkey will take on minnows Kosovo, who have never qualified for a World Cup. The winners will join Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Australia.
Sweden, who are through after Viktor Gyökeres’ hat-trick against Ukraine, will face Poland, with the winner slotting into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
Italy, who are under heaps of pressure after missing the last two World Cups, managed a win against Northern Ireland on Thursday to set up a World Cup playoff final against Bosnia-Herzegovina, who beat Wales on penalties after Edin Dzeko’s lifeline goal. The winner will join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B at the World Cup. Scott Murray will be live blogging that match separately here.
The four fixtures will kick-off simultaneously at 7.45pm BST.
As always, if you have any thoughts, predictions, questions, or favourite World Cup playoff moments you would like to share, then send me an email. Team news coming up!
