The battle for the last six spots at the 2026 World Cup has become a real test for favorites and a chance for outsiders. Results of the playoff semifinals have already brought surprises, and the upcoming finals promise even more upsets. For national teams that failed to qualify directly, this is a decisive moment: every mistake now could mean missing out on the world’s most prestigious football tournament.
In Europe, four final matchups will determine who claims the remaining spots. Italy, despite being four-time world champions, are once again on the brink of failure—they will now face Bosnia, who knocked out Wales in a penalty shootout. In another pairing, Poland, with Lewandowski once again showing his scoring touch, take on Sweden, whose striker Gyökeres scored a hat trick. Türkiye, led by Güler, will battle Kosovo, while Denmark, having confidently defeated Macedonia, meet Czechia, who advanced on penalties. Any of these matches could reshape Europe’s football landscape.
International intrigue
Outside Europe, the battle for the remaining two spots is just as intense. Bolivia, after a comeback against Suriname, is closer than it has been in 32 years to returning to the world stage. Their opponent will be Iraq, a nation that also rarely appears at major tournaments. Elsewhere, New Caledonia will try to pull off an upset against Jamaica, with the winner facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All these teams dream of a breakthrough that could change their football history.
Spain’s groups and opponents
Spain already knows all its group opponents, as none of the teams in the current playoffs will join them at the group stage. However, the outcome of the final playoff matches could influence potential playoff matchups. The possibility of a last-16 clash with Argentina is especially intriguing, since both teams are among the favorites. With the cancellation of the Finalissima, debates over the fairness of place allocations continue, and fans are following every result closely.
Pressure on the favorites
For Italy, the current qualifiers have become a true test of resilience. After missing two consecutive World Cups and an unexpected Euro triumph, the team once again finds itself in a position where a single defeat could erase the progress of recent years. Tension is high in Poland and Sweden too: both squads have strong forwards, but defensive instability could prove decisive. Turkey and Kosovo, as well as Denmark and Czechia, are not considered clear favorites, adding further intrigue.
In the international playoff stage, Bolivia and Iraq, along with New Caledonia, Jamaica, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are battling not only for qualification but also for global recognition. For many of these teams, reaching the World Cup would be the highlight of the decade. Analysis by russpain.com suggests that these playoff matches often become the stage for unexpected heroes and dramatic outcomes, as football history has shown more than once.
Reflecting on how transfer failures can impact the fate of entire clubs and national teams, it is worth considering recent events in Barcelona: transfer chaos has already put the future of one of the giants at risk. Such cases demonstrate that even the strongest teams are not immune to setbacks if they fail to adapt in time.
The Italy national team is one of the most decorated sides in the world, having lifted the sport’s top trophy four times. However, recent years have been a series of challenges: after their Euro victory, the team twice failed to qualify for the World Cup. Now, the Italians not only need to win back the fans’ trust but also prove their past success was no fluke. Another failure could have serious consequences — for both the players and the entire football community in the country.
