The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensified last night as several European nations confirmed their place in the finals, while others saw their campaigns come to a painful end.
Among the biggest winners were Italy, Sweden, and Denmark, all securing qualification after decisive performances in the latest round of qualifiers. Poland and Kosovo also joined the list of confirmed teams heading to the global tournament.
Italy’s qualification stands out after a strong and controlled campaign, showing consistency in key matches. Sweden and Denmark followed a similar path, delivering results under pressure to book their tickets.
On the other side, it was a night of disappointment for several nations. Ukraine, one of the notable names, failed to progress despite high expectations. Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Albania, and North Macedonia were also officially eliminated from the qualification race.
Alongside the qualifiers, a few international friendly matches took place. These games involved teams that had already secured their World Cup spots. Managers used these fixtures to rotate squads and test new combinations ahead of the tournament.