At least five nations have officially secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the intercontinental and European playoff routes, with one final ticket set to be decided later today.
The latest round of playoff fixtures delivered high drama on Tuesday as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Czechia confirmed their places at the global tournament.
The Democratic Republic of Congo sealed their qualification with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Jamaica. The decisive moment came in extra time when Axel Tuanzebe struck the winner to send the Congolese side through.
The result marks a significant milestone for DR Congo as they return to football’s biggest stage after navigating a tense intercontinental playoff.
Turkey also celebrated a historic achievement, ending a 24-year absence from the World Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Kosovo. The victory secures Turkey’s first appearance at the tournament since 2002, when they finished third.
The slim but decisive win sparked celebrations among Turkish fans eager to see their national team back among football’s elite.
In the European playoff route, Sweden booked their ticket with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Poland in a closely contested encounter.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina needed penalties to overcome Italy after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time. The Bosnians held their nerve in the shootout to clinch qualification.
Czechia also advanced via penalty shootout, defeating Denmark after a dramatic 2-2 draw. Their composure from the spot secured their place at the 2026 tournament.
Attention now turns to the last remaining playoff fixture, where Iraq will face Bolivia on Wednesday to determine the final qualifying nation from the playoff routes.
The winner of that encounter will complete the list of teams that advanced through the intercontinental and European playoffs, joining the growing roster of nations set to compete at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With the playoffs nearing conclusion, the tournament lineup continues to take shape as countries around the world finalize their preparations for football’s biggest event.