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.
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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.
Meanwhile, 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: Terverr Tyav)
