We are slowly getting to the end of the World Cup qualifiers, with only four matches left to be played in the UEFA qualifiers before we get the names of the last four European participants in the 2026 World Cup.
The semi-finals brought many exciting matches, with a couple of them decided only after penalty shoot-outs. Here’s a brief overview, with a glimpse of what comes next.
The Semi-Finals: Who’s Through?
The new qualifiers’ playoff format means that teams play one match in the semi-finals and then one in the finals, with no return fixtures. We saw eight semi-final matches on Thursday, with eight winners now through to face each other in the finals:
Türkiye 1-0 Romania
Kosovo 4-3 Slovakia
Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
Wales 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-4 after penalty shoot-out)
Sweden 3-1 Ukraine
Poland 2-1 Albania
Denmark 4-0 North Macedonia
Czechia 2-2 Ireland (4-3 after penalty shoot-out)
Finals Fixtures and Odds
The four matches in the finals will be played on Tuesday, 31 March, which will mark the conclusion of the European qualifiers. Let’s have a look at the fixtures and the odds the bookmakers are giving each team to qualify for the World Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Italy
Sweden – Poland
Kosovo – Türkiye
Czechia – Denmark
Let’s start with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy. Italy is the clear favourite with bookmakers in Path A, with the average odds around 1.60. If you wish to back Bosnia and Herzegovina, the average odds there are around 5.50.