The drama of European soccer reached its peak on Thursday. After a day of shouting, we now know the eight survivors who will play for the last four UEFA tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
Between epic comebacks, penalty shoot-outs and goals, the table is set for a “do-or-die” Tuesday where names like Italy and Poland are in the spotlight. Here’s how the final matches of the European repechage for the 2026 World Cup were played.
Italy: The ghost of absence lurks again
🚨🚨: Italy Going to the World Cup…?
Leaked footage of the Italian team celebrating after noticing Bosnia won
Italy will now face Bosnia in the final playoff for a World Cup spot. 👏👏👏
– Wf Alexander 👑 ( Cr7 News ) (@WfAlexander45) March 27, 2026
The Italian national team took the first step by defeating Northern Ireland 2-0 with authority.
However, the road does not end here.
The “Azzurri”, who already know what it’s like to miss out on the top event, will have to travel to Sarajevo to face Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Bosnians are in high spirits after a heart-stopping play-off against Wales, whom they dispatched in an agonizing penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
Can Italy tame the pressure of playing away from home?
Lewandowski against the Swedish wall
Poland beat Albania 2-1 with a decisive goal by Lewandowski. On the 31st they will face Sweden for the last World Cup berth.
Eu estava de olho apenas na Itália, mas o Lewa também precisa estar na Copa‼️🇵🇱
– Next Fucking Level BR (@NextFuckingBR) March 27, 2026
The most attractive duel of these finals will take place in Solna.
Robert Lewandowski’s Poland struggled but delivered, coming from 2-1 down against a resilient Albania.
Now, Barcelona’s “killer” has a date with destiny against Sweden, who showed no mercy against Ukraine with a 1-3 win in Valencia.
It is the clash of two styles: the forcefulness of “Lewy” versus the tactical discipline of the Nordic team.
Kosovo: The Cinderella who does not want to wake up
#FanaticsPlus ⚽🔥 KOSOVO SURPRISES!
In a match full of goals, the Kosovo National Team 🇽🇰 beat the Slovak National Team 🇸🇰 4-3 in the final round of the playoffs towards the World Cup 2026 🌎🏆🔥 #Slovakia 3-4 #Kosovo pic.twitter.com/NX2O3yohjJ
– Fanatics + (@FanaticosGMV) March 26, 2026
The big surprise of the day was Kosovo, who produced a goal-fest in Slovakia to claim a historic 3-4 win.
On Tuesday they will host in Pristina a Turkey that, although they won by the minimum (1-0) against Romania, knows that going into Kosovar territory will be a real cauldron.
Denmark and Czech Republic: The Last Ticket
DENMARK AIMS TO RIVAL MEXICO! 🇩🇰🔥
The Denmark National Team thrashed North Macedonia 4-0 and sealed their place in the playoff final. ⚽💥
In addition, the semifinals of the European playoffs are over and the teams that will be looking for the last ticket to… pic.twitter.com/EWoz5CRYyr
– Claro Sports (@ClaroSports) March 26, 2026
Finally, the Czech Republic sealed their passage after a dramatic extra time and penalty shootout against Ireland (2-2).
Their opponents will be the mighty Denmark, who come in as the most dominant team in this phase after a 4-0 win over North Macedonia.
The Czechs will use their home advantage in Prague to stop the “Red Dynamite”.
Do you see Italy out of the World Cup again or do you think Lewandowski will rescue Poland at the last gasp?
The coin is in the air and on Tuesday Europe comes to a halt.
Filed under: European Repechage World Cup
