With just four places remaining at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for European sides, Michael Owen assesses the play-off finals and predicts which European nations will complete the line-up in North America.
We’ve finally reached the point where the last four places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided.
I was sad to see Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all crash out in the semi-final stages, but there can’t really be any complaints on the night.
So let’s take a look at the finalists:
Bosnia and Herzegoviva v Italy
In the Path A final, Bosnia and Herzegovina will take on Italy on home soil in Zenica.
It’s hard to believe that four-time champions Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups and at 0-0 against Northern Ireland in the semi-finals, it looked like the players were feeling the weight of their nation on their shoulders. However, once the first goal went in early in the second half, the Azzurri started to relax and from there the result never really looked in doubt.
Bosnia-Herzegovina on the other hand had to wait until the last kick of the contest before they finally squeezed through on penalties against Wales in their semi-final.
Home advantage will surely be of some advantage but having lost four of their last five matches against Italy, I’m not sure it will be enough. Italy can see the winning line now and I am going for them to secure their place in the world’s greatest football tournament with a narrow 1-0 away win.
Sweden v Poland
In the Path B final, Sweden will face Poland in what I think will be another close match.
Sweden had a great win against Ukraine with Viktor Gyökeres scoring a brilliant hat-trick that will have surely given his confidence a massive boost.
Poland squeezed home against Albania with Robert Lewandowski scoring once again, and if Poland are to reach the finals in USA, Mexico and Canada, he will need to be at the top of his game once again.
Coincidentally, Sweden faced Poland in the 2022 World Cup play-off and on that occasion Poland came out on top with a 2-0 win and of course, another Lewandowski goal. However, both teams have changed managers since, and it’s hard to use that last encounter as a barometer for what might happen in this particular final. That’s probably not a bad thing from a Poland perspective because they haven’t beaten Sweden in Sweden since 1930!
So, another difficult game to call but I’m going with home advantage to count and Sweden to get the job done with a 2-1 victory.
Kosovo v Turkey
In the Path C final, Kosovo will face Turkey.
Kosovo had a brilliant 4-3 win away in Slovakia in their semi-final and you have to say, fully deserve their place in this final.
Turkey progressed after a very tight 1-0 win against Romania and whilst they will probably be favourites going into this game, I’m expecting another tight, nervy affair between these two very good sides.
Turkey don’t really have an out-and-out striker these days but they continue to find a way to win, especially away from home, so although it’s a game that could go either way, I’m going with a closely fought 1-0 win to Turkey.
Denmark v Czechia
In the Path D final, Denmark travel away to Prague to take on Czechia.
Czechia scored a late equaliser against the Republic of Ireland after trailing 2-0 and then came from a goal down in the penalty shoot-out to book their place in the final, but I think they may have used up all their luck in that particular match.
Denmark had no such troubles in dispatching North Macedonia 4-0 and I’m finding it hard to make a case for anything here but a win for the Danes.
The Eastern Europeans were such a threat in world football back at the turn of the century and were officially ranked at number two! However, their fortunes have faded since and with the goal threat that Denmark have right now, I’m going for them to secure a comfortable 3-1 away win.
Michael Owen’s Predictions:
Bosnia And Herzegovina 0-1 Italy
Czech Republic 1-3 Denmark
Kosovo 0-1 Turkey
Sweden 2-1 Poland
