The race for places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued on Thursday, with action across the European and intercontinental playoffs.
The playoffs offer a second opportunity for teams to secure qualification—a final bite at the cherry—for a place at the historic centenary World Cup set to be hosted across three continents.
It was a mixed bag of emotions across Europe, including in Bergamo, Italy, where four-time champions, the Azzurri, progressed to the final European playoff scheduled for Tuesday.
Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean ensured Italy’s passage to the final, where they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina edged past Wales 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation time.
Elsewhere, at the Türk Telekom Stadium in Istanbul, 2002 World Cup bronze medalists Turkey defeated Romania by a lone goal, ending the dreams of the Romanians, whose last World Cup appearance came 28 years ago.
MUST READ: Rising Insecurity: Push For State Police Gains Momentum
Turkey will now face Kosovo in the final playoff, after Kosovo came from behind to beat Slovakia 4–3 and keep their hopes of a historic World Cup debut alive.
At the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, Arsenal forward Viktor Gyökeres stole the spotlight.
The 27-year-old netted a hat-trick as Sweden cruised to a 3–1 victory over Ukraine to advance.
The Blue and Yellow side will now face Poland, who overcame Albania 2–1 in their semi-final clash.
1992 European champions Denmark thrashed North Macedonia 4–0 and will face Czechia, who needed penalties to see off Ireland after a 2–2 draw in regulation and extra time.
In the intercontinental playoffs, Bolivia stayed on course for a return to the global stage following a 2–1 win over Oceania side Suriname.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, with dreams alive, hopes hanging by a thread, and only the strongest set to claim their place on football’s biggest stage.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
