World Cup 2026 Playoffs: Italy, Sweden & Türkiye Qualify

Italy and Türkiye are one step closer to securing their places at the 2026 World Cup after navigating challenging European playoff semifinals on Thursday. Both nations secured victories, setting up crucial final matchups next Tuesday that will determine their participation in the expanded 48-team tournament.

Italy Edges Past Northern Ireland, Faces Bosnia and Herzegovina

For Italy, the road to qualification continues to be fraught with tension. The four-time World Cup champions, who failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, secured a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Bergamo. Sandro Tonali opened the scoring with a well-placed half-volley early in the second half, and later provided the assist for Moise Kean’s goal. The win, although, didn’t come without a sense of urgency, as Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged the demand for improvement.

“After taking the lead, we cleared our minds,” Gattuso said. “We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday. We have to win. We have no other choice.”

Italy’s path to North America won’t be easy, however. They will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final after Bosnia defeated Wales in a penalty shootout. The Azzurri will be looking to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence, a scenario that would be a historic low for the nation’s football program. Italy dominated possession and had seven shots on goal to Northern Ireland’s none, but Gattuso emphasized the need for more quality in their play.

Tonali’s performance was particularly noteworthy, not only for his goal but also for his assist, showcasing a skillful crossfield pass that set up Kean for a composed finish. “We didn’t have many moments of quality, but we did well to produce the most of them when we did,” Tonali commented.

Türkiye Advances After Victory Over Romania

Türkiye also progressed to the playoff final, defeating Romania in a closely contested match. Details of the scoreline were not provided, but the result sees them advance to face Kosovo next Tuesday. This victory represents a significant step forward for Türkiye as they aim to secure their spot in the World Cup.

Sweden’s Gyökeres Shines in Win Over Ukraine

Elsewhere in the European playoffs, Sweden delivered a dominant performance, defeating Ukraine thanks to a hat-trick from Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedes will now face Poland in the final, setting up an intriguing clash between two nations eager to book their place at the tournament. Poland defeated Albania to reach this stage.

Czechia and Denmark Also Progress

The playoff picture is becoming clearer with Czechia and Denmark also securing their places in the final round. Czechia overcame Ireland in a penalty shootout, even as Denmark advanced in regular time. They will face off against each other next Tuesday for a coveted spot in the World Cup.

Expanded World Cup Format

The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, a significant expansion from the traditional 32-team format. This change has created more opportunities for nations to qualify, particularly those from Europe, Africa, and Asia. The expanded format is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Italy’s Group B, should they qualify, will be based in Toronto and Los Angeles, facing co-hosts Canada and Qatar, as well as Switzerland. The stakes are incredibly high for the Azzurri, who are desperate to return to the world stage after a period of significant underperformance. Their recent playoff failures – eliminated by Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022 – have added to the pressure.

The upcoming matches on Tuesday will be decisive, with Italy, Türkiye, Sweden, Poland, Kosovo, Czechia, and Denmark all vying for the remaining European spots at the 2026 World Cup. The expanded tournament promises a more inclusive and competitive event, but for these nations, the immediate focus is on navigating the final hurdle of the playoffs and securing their place among the world’s elite.