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World Cup 2026 playoffs: Sweden v Poland, Czech Republic v Denmark, Kosovo v Turkey – live | World Cup 2026 qualifiers
Key events
Sweden 0-0 Poland: Denmark have the ball in the box but Lewandowski cannot get a good strike on the ball after an awkward tackle from Starfelt, who has hurt himself in the process.
Kári gets in touch:
It was only one match, but on Thursday it really felt like Sweden are back to being Sweden again under Potter. At their best, they combine imagination and flair with the kind of solid ruggedness that saps the will of their opponents. Sportswriter Charles Boehm once called Sweden “the walking manifestation of that sinking feeling that it’s not going to be your day”, which can’t be improved on.
I could never quite measure up to Boehm – quite the wordsmith – if we are being frank. Maybe he would compare me to Sweden right now, who have not offered much but are trying their best in front of their home crowd.
Kosovo 0-0 Turkey: The visitors are a whisker away from opening the scoring but two good blocks are made after Calhanoglu’s shot. Turkey have to settle for a corner but Kosovo deal with the danger.
Czech Republic 1-0 Denmark: So far, this is the game to watch. Hojlund blazes forward and has a go from a tight angle on the left but Kovar makes the low save.
GOAL! Czech Republic 1-0 Denmark (Sulc 3)
The hosts light a fuse in Prague!! The hosts win their second corner in the third minute. Coufal delivers and it is cleared to Sulc, who isn’t picked up at the edge of the box. He takes his chance to strike it beautifully first time and it sails into the top corner! Dream start for Czech Republic!
Kick-offs: Here we go! Winners of each of these games will book their spot at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The teams are out and the national anthems are being sung … Kick-off in less than five minutes across the grounds. Great atmospheres across the board in Pristina, Solna and Prague.
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Italy: Reminder, you can follow along the fourth European playoff final with Scott Murray below.
Kosovo v Turkey: The hosts nation only became Fifa members in 2016 and a win today would secure their first-ever World Cup finals place and complete a qualification campaign that has become a rallying cry for national pride.
“It gets emotional thinking about the conditions we faced,” Samir Ujkani says. Kosovo would often train on a rutted pitch at the crumbling Kek stadium outside Pristina, directly beneath the belching Obiliq power plants that have been listed among the most polluting in Europe. On other occasions they would make a three-hour round trip to Mitrovica, where the Haiti game took place, for a single session. “We didn’t care, we did it all and nobody complained. And I’m so proud of what the team are achieving now.”
This is a country where public matches were banned by Serbian authorities in the 1990s after the breakup of Yugoslavia. It is a place where football became the most luxurious of afterthoughts as a brutal, appalling war wrought unimaginable trauma at the end of that decade. When Kosovo rose and stood alone, sport became more important than ever in its capacity to project a fresh, serious, accomplished face to the world.
Read the full features from Nick Ames and Jack Snape below.
Kosovo v Turkey: Dreaming of a World Cup debut, Kosovo showed great nerve to beat Slovakia 4-3 in their play-off semi-final – twice levelling before taking a 4-2 lead. They will no doubt take great confidence from the victory, but coach Franco Foda warns that they must not get carried away. “We are in euphoria right now but we need to play the last game with calm,” he said.
Arda Güler’s awe-inspiring assist and Ferdi Kadioglu’s expert finish were the difference as Turkey overcame Romania in the semi-finals. Turkey have lost only once in seven competitive away fixtures since Euro 2024, continuing to score on the road despite not having a pure No 9.
Czech Republic v Denmark: “It’s been 20 years since our last World Cup appearance, and we’ll do everything we can to get there,” said the Czech Republic midfielder Tomáš Souček after his side’s penalty success against the Republic of Ireland. However, the Czech Republic have not beaten the Danes in seven games since a 3-0 win in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.
Brian Riemer’s Denmark booked their final spot with a confident 4-0 victory over North Macedonia. “It is important to look forward to big matches, even though there is also a lot of pressure,” Riemer said. “It is a huge match, and it is probably one of the biggest matches I have been involved with in my career so far. We are completely well prepared and ready.”
Sweden v Poland: “Viktor Gyökeres was incredible,” said the Sweden manager, Graham Potter, after the Arsenal striker scored a hat-trick in his side’s 3-1 semi-final against Ukraine. He will certainly be the one to watch for Poland as they hope to register a win in Sweden for the first time since 1930.
These two teams met in the final of the 2022 World Cup playoffs, where Poland beat the Swedes 2-0 in Chorzow with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski – both are in Poland’s XI for today’s match. Nicola Zalewski returns after being suspended for the semi-final and Jan Urban is unbeaten after seven games as Poland coach.
Teams: Kosovo v Turkey
Kosovi XI (4-4-2): Muric; Dellova, Hajrizi, Hajdari, Gallapeni; Vojvoda, Hodza, Rexhbecaj, Muslija; Asllani, Muriqi.
Subs: Bekaj, Saipi, Hadergjonaj, Aliti, I Krasniqi, Rashica, Rrahmani, Zhegrova, Berisha, E Krasniqi, Emerllahu, Zabergja.
Turkey XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Celik, Kadioglu, Bardakci, Kabak; Yuksek, Calhanoglu; Kokcu, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu.
Subs: Günok, Bayindir, Elmali, Akaydin, Ozcan, Yılmaz, Gul, Kahveci, Muldur, Karazor, Akgun, Ayhan.
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Teams: Sweden v Poland
Sweden XI (3-4-2-1): Nordfeldt; Lagerbielke, Starfelt, Lindelof; Svensson, Ayari, Karlstrom, Gudmundsson; Elanga, Nygren; Gyokeres.
Subs: Törnqvist, Ellborg, Eriksson, Swedberg, Bergvall, Nilsson, Stroud, Lundgren, Svanberg, Larsson, Ali, Zeneli.
Poland XI (3-5-2): Grabara; Bednarek, Wisniewski, Kiwior; Cash, Zalawski, Zielinski, Szymanski, Kaminski; Swiderski, Lewandowski.
Subs: Kochalski, Dragowski, Kedziora, Slisz, Moder, Grosicki, Pietuszewski, Ziolkowski, Rozga, Bereszynski, Skoras, Piatek.
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
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 and 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!
UK News
World Cup 2026: England kick off in Dallas after big-hitting trio make mark – live | World Cup 2026
Key events
Max Rushden and friends are coming in your ears with all the latest from the tournament.
Thomas Partey will not be part of the Ghana team that faces Panama, after he was denied access to Canada.
What Ghana do have is the likes of Antoine Semenyo after putting greater emphasis of attracting players from the diaspora.
Some lad called Messi is top of the Golden Boot list already. Who will hunt him down? Check out the top scorers, thus far.
Portugal open up against DR Congo as the Hors d’oeuvre for England v Croatia, not that anyone in those two countries will see it like that.
It is the sixth time Cristiano Ronaldo has been at a World Cup, which is a rather silly statistics. At 41, does he still have the powers to make a difference?
Ronaldo could wield a huge influence over the trophy’s ultimate destination. It remains to be seen whether that is channelled positively. Portugal can field arguably the best first-choice midfield in this summer’s competition, an experienced defence and an admirable array of wide forwards. At the heart of their attack stands, depending on your perspective, either a free-scoring icon primed to fire them all the way or a 41-year-old passenger whose presence sucks an otherwise fluent team into an inescapable void.
Nick Ames takes a look at the legend.
That is more than enough England material for the timing being, but do not fear, there will plenty throughout the day.
Opponents Croatia have impressed in recent times at the World Cup, reaching a final and semi-final in their past two outings. A key reason for their successes come in the form of 40-year-old Luka Modric, who is still going in the middle of the park and will be plotting England’s downfall.
Aleksandar Holiga on the the great man’s last dance.
There is plenty to get your teeth and eyes into as we prepare for England’s entrance in Dallas.
David Hytner has been listening to Harry Kane’s thoughts on the Three Lions’ chances and his own form.
I’m coming into this tournament in the best way possible; the best place physically and mentally. Throughout a career, there aren’t loads of times when all the pieces of the puzzle will come together at the right moment. Talking now, I feel like I’m in that place.
Thomas Tuchel is about to learn what managing at a major tournament is all about, writes Jacob Steinberg.
After an impressive qualifying campaign, Tuchel is backing England to thrive under the microscope in the US.
Barney Ronay on England shifting the focus from fun to business.
You can sit there playing with your silly little machines as much as you like. I’ll show you a World Cup. Close to a week in, with almost an entire round of cloudless group games in the bag, the coffin lid is starting to creak. By late Monday morning the first little knots of Three Lions shirts could be seen wandering the blank, baking streets of Dallas, blinking in the light. England are at the door. And it’s time for a vibe shift.
We should start with the latest set of results on what was a fascinating day.
Paul MacInnes was in New York/Jersey to see Mbappe lay down the first marker of the day. The Frenchman’s goals mean we will not have to spend our time discussing VAR too much but we certainly will.
The Ewan Murray witnessed Erling Haaland doing what he does best as Norway returned to the biggest stage by pummelling Iraq into submission.
Pablo Iglesias Maurer was on hand to see Lionel Messi’s 200th Argentina appearance, which he celebrated with a hat-trick against Algeria. He will be 39 next week but no one seems to have told him.
Austria required an own goal and late penalty against newcomers Jordan to get their competition up and running.
Preamble
After the tedium of four draws the day before, Tuesday felt like a moment within the context of this World Cup. Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi all made their marks with goals in big win for their respective countries. Tournaments need their stars to step up, often it is individuals rather than teams that are remembered for their successes in the history books and three of the globe’s best are threatening to do that again.
The hotly-anticipated England opener comes our way later, as Thomas Tuchel et al aim to end *checks notes* 70 years of hurt. Croatia provide the opponents, having previously caused plenty of harm to wallies with brollies and inflicting a semi-final defeat in Russia eight years ago. Will Harry Kane join his fellow figure heads by proving his class on the biggest stage? One nation certainly hope so.
We will be bringing you all the latest from the World Cup with plenty to look back on but even more to look forward to.
What experts make of the men’s team’s official off-duty fashion as they prepare for their first World Cup match.
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Key events
Lance must be watching a different game to me with the query “who is the audience?”. “I’m watching from my apartment in San Francisco and can’t figure out why they started a game at midnight for most of the USA, Canada, and Mexico and 4am in Europe. Who’s watching this besides you in Australia? OTOH, the level of play deserves late night so maybe FIFA are geniuses.”
NO GOAL! Austria 1-1 Jordan
The referee determines that Stefan Posch handled the ball while trying to control it just a split second before Marko Arnautović tapped it into the back of the net. A huge call but looks like the right one to me. Now for an ill-timed hydration break
The referee has gone to the sideline to review the replay. All the focus is on the handball claim rather than any supposed contact with the keeper.
Hang on a second, VAR is looking at the replay. There wasn’t much contact on the keeper but the ball has perhaps brushed Stefan Posch’s arm before bouncing down to Arnautović’s feet.
GOAL! Austria 2-1 Jordan (Arnautović 68)
Marko Arnautović reclaims the lead for Austria as the calmest presence in the six-yard box amid a mad scramble off a corner.
65 min Yazeed Abulaila is back to his feet after some extra attention. It is hard to spot much contact from Arnautović on the replay.
63 min Carney Chukwuemeka is immediately involved in all the most exciting moments as he goes to ground in the penalty area but has any claims waved away. Shortly after Jordan keeper Yazeed Abulaila is the one to end up on the turf holding his face after next to know pressure from Marko Arnautović. The referee allows play to continue and Chukwuemeka fires a shot on target that is blocked by a sea of Jordan feet.
61 min Austria take time to settle back into their rhythm after the sweeping changes while Chukwuemeka already looks lively.
59 min A triple change for Austria with defender Kevin Danso joined by a pair of exciting new additions in Carney Chukwuemeka and Paul Wanner. Captain David Alaba, and midfielders Xaver Schlager and Phillipp Mwene are done for the day.
57 min Arnautović goes to ground in the defensive half to masterfully earn a free kick and relieve the pressure.
55 min No change to the familiar pattern as Odeh Al-Fakhouri twice finds space down the right side. Musa Al-Taamari and Ali Olwan time their run perfectly off the second chance but the cross is a touch deep and is collected by keeper Schlager.
53 min Austria slow the game down with Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald knocking the ball around the midfield and defensive line.
Ali Olwan creates something out of very little with a solo run to equalise for Jordan though the goal had been coming. Austria, on the other hand, have paid a huge price for leaving too much space in their defensive half even while holding a narrow lead. Game on!
GOAL! Austria 1-1 Jordan (Olwan 50)
Ali Olwan is giving too much room as he carries the ball from near the halfway line and into the penalty area, cuts on to his right boot and rockets the ball off the inside of the far post and into the net. The striker goes down in history as Jordan’s first World Cup goalscorer.
48 min Stefan Posch takes too much time to consider his options for a throw-in and the referee blows the whistle to hand the ball back to Jordan in their attacking half. That’s surely one of the better rules that Fifa has brought in for this World Cup.
47 min Ehsan Haddad shows Jordan are setting out to chase the game as the captain charges into space down the right and hammers a flat cross into the penalty area. The scramble sends the ball out to Odeh Al-Fakhouri to take it deep and to the goalline under little pressure. But the cutback ends up in keeper Schlager’s hands.
46 min Jordan resume the second half with the same XI players that began the first.
Austria are last to make their way out of the tunnel but veteran Marko Arnautović is already alone on the sidelines ready to enter the fray. Saša Kalajdžić makes way after a half where the final ball from his Austria teammates generally didn’t do him any few favours.
If the final word on the latest Kylian Mbappé masterclass isn’t enough to entertain you, Peter has stepped forward with a simple request: “After the next hydration break I’d like to see Austria take a couple of stiff schnaps shots at the Jordan goal.”
Jordan are far from out of this Group J clash against Austria and had their fair share of chances both before and after Schmid’s opening goal. We’ll be back shortly for the second half, but in the meantime here is some half-time reading from Leander Schaerlaeckens on the other side of the US at New York New Jersey Stadium.
After the whistle blew for half-time, Kylian Mbappé ran to the player tunnel at a good clip, followed by Ousmane Dembélé. Behind them, the rest of the French team were in no such hurry, sauntering off the pitch. The forward widely considered the best in the world – or at least the most famous in the Non-Ronaldo-and-Messi Division – and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner had much to discuss.
Austria hold the advantage at the break in a game that has largely followed the script, as they seek to control the ball in midfield and find a pass into towering forward Saša Kalajdžić’s feet, while Jordan are comfortable sitting back and waiting to unleash Musa Al-Taamari on the counter.
Romano Schmid curled shot from range in the 20th minute is a goal deserving of the lead though Jordan almost responded immediately with a shot that crashed off the crossbar. Austria lead Jordan for possession 58-42% though the shots on target favour the World Cup debutants 3-1 while both have had five chances sail wide.
Half time: Austria 1-0 Jordan
Romano Schmid’s rocket from outside the penalty area is all that separates the two sides in what has been an enthralling encounter filled with end-to-end football.
45+3 min Schmid has time to try to pick out a pass into the Austria attack where Kalajdžić is hovering ominously. A quick Jordan clearance sends Musa Al-Taamari on his way but the long hit ends up with keeper Schlager.
45+1 min Jordan continue to attack down their left where Mohannad Abu Taha offers width. Musa Al-Taamari soon sets off on a solo run from the right side and beats the first Austria defender to get a shot away with his left boot that drifts into the side netting. Four minutes of added time.
44 min Stefan Posch crunches Odeh Al-Fakhouri in the back as they compete for a high ball to hand Jordan another free kick in their attacking half. The overly elaborate set up wastes the chance.
42 min Jordan earn their own free kick in their attacking half where a flatter cross earns a corner – one of their key weapons.
41 min Austria win a free kick out of nothing in the midfield and take time to set up their attack. Alaba delivers a loop free kick for Kalajdžić to nod backwards where the Jordan defence are able to clear.
39 min Both keepers take their time with a goal kick with half-time coming in to view.
37 min Austria take some momentum out of the game with Jordan pressing hard in attack. The midfield battle has leaned to one side with the contrasting approaches to leave Austria enjoying about two-thirds of the possession.
35 min Jordan flood forward and a pacey build up gives Ali Olwan time to unleash a powerful shot that might have troubled the keeper if it wasn’t so straight. Musa Al-Taamari gathers the rebound but his own chance is blocked by Philipp Lienhart before Austria finally clear. Jordan continue to look most dangerous on the counter.
33 min Austria send the ball long for Konrad Laimer to run on to and into the penalty area. The midfielder tumbles to ground with arms waving in the air after there was an obvious tug on the shirt. But he equally had a fist full of the Jordan defender’s jersey. Stefan Posch is next to find space in attack but a heavy final touch allows the keeper to shut down the danger.
32 min Fast feet from Ali Olwan opens up the Austria defence but the cross into the penalty area is comfortably cleared by their centre-backs.
31 min Mwene quickly has an opportunity to make amends as he searches for Saša Kalajdžić but the cross is a touch behind the forward and he is unable to get enough on his header.
29 min Austria look more and more threatening as Jordan allow them time to build attacks. The right final ball all that’s missing to link midfield with the attack as Phillipp Mwene misdirects a cross.
27 min Austria win the ball back for their own throw in the attacking third and pile the pressure back on Jordan in the six-yard box. A desperate clearance gives the ball back for Austria to rebuild as Xaver Schlager charges through the middle of the pitch unopposed.
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