Bosnia and Herzegovina stunned four-time champions Italy, winning 4-1 on penalties to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 1-1 draw even as Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, ending a 30-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
Italy will miss a third consecutive World Cup finals after crumbling in the playoff, in spite of forcing extra time before losing composure in the decisive shootout.
The Italians, reduced to 10 men in the first half, struggled under pressure as Bosnia converted all four penalties to seal qualification.
Esmir Bajraktarevic struck the decisive kick in Zenica, sending Bosnia into Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
Italy had taken an early lead in the 15th minute through Moise Kean, who curled a precise first-time finish from the edge of the box.
Their advantage faded after Alessandro Bastoni’s red card for denying a clear scoring chance, fouling Amar Memic just before half-time.
Bosnia equalised after sustained pressure, with Haris Tabakovic reacting quickest to a loose ball following a corner.
Italy faltered in the shootout, missing their first and third kicks, while Bosnia converted flawlessly to the delight of their home supporters.
The defeat makes Italy the first former champions to miss three consecutive World Cups, their last triumph coming in 2006.
Bosnia secured their second World Cup appearance and first since 2014, sparking wild celebrations after Bajraktarevic’s winning penalty.
Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured Iraq’s historic return, their first appearance since 1986, after victory in the intercontinental playoff final in Mexico.
Al-Hamadi struck in the 10th minute, but Moises Paniagua equalised 28 minutes later in a tightly contested encounter at Monterrey Stadium on Wednesday.
Hussein netted the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, finishing from close range off Marko Farji’s cross to seal qualification for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
Czechia defeated Denmark on penalties in Prague after a 2-2 draw, with Michal Sadilek scoring the decisive kick to seal qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The victory sends Czechia to their first FIFA World Cup since 2006.
They will face Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.
Tomas Chory and Tomas Soucek converted their penalties, while Ladislav Krejci missed.
Denmark’s only scorer was Christian Eriksen during the shootout.
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Rasmus Hojlund struck the crossbar, Anders Dreyer missed, and Mathias Jensen fired over, sealing Denmark’s exit from the playoff.
Pavel Sulc opened scoring early with a volley after a cleared corner.
Denmark equalised through Joachim Andersen’s 72nd-minute header from Mikkel Damsgaard’s free kick.
Krejci restored Czechia’s lead in the 100th minute after a scramble, with his effort deflected into the net by defender Alexander Bah.
Denmark equalised again in the 111th minute as substitute Kasper Hogh headed in Eriksen’s corner shortly after coming on.
Czechia had earlier beaten Ireland on penalties in the semifinals, while Denmark defeated North Macedonia 4-0 to reach the final.
Denmark dominated possession but struggled to break Czechia’s defence, which sat deep after scoring early in the encounter.
Goalkeeper Matej Kovar made key saves, denying Hojlund and tipping Gustav Isaksen’s free kick over the bar to keep Czechia in the game.
Czechia threatened on the counter, but Denmark continued to miss chances or found Kovar in inspired form throughout the match.
The hosts held firm to force penalties, eventually prevailing to book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Turkiye and Sweden secured FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification after playoff victories over Kosovo and Poland.
Turkiye defeated Kosovo 1-0 in Pristina to end a 24-year wait, qualifying for their first World Cup since 2002.
Kerem Akturkoglu scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, sealing victory in a tense contest before a packed home crowd.
Turkiye, ranked 25th globally, overcame years of qualifying disappointment under coach Vincenzo Montella with a balanced squad.
Kosovo, ranked 79th, saw their impressive run end just short of a historic first major tournament appearance.
Elsewhere, Sweden defeated Poland 3-2 to book their place, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring a late winner in a dramatic playoff final.
Anthony Elanga gave Sweden an early lead before Nicola Zalewski equalised, while Gustaf Lagerbielke restored the hosts’ advantage before halftime.
Karol Swiderski levelled again after the break, but Gyokeres struck late to seal victory for Sweden.
The result sends Sweden into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup, their first appearance since 2018.
The Democratic Republic of Congo in the early hours of Wednesday defeated Jamaica 1-0 after extra time to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 52-year wait.
A 100th-minute goal by Axel Tuanzebe, secured the Leopards’ passage, earning them the 47th slot at the tournament.
The victory marks DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.
Tuanzebe scored in Guadalajara, Mexico, converting a corner from Brian Cipenga which deflected past Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake.
DR Congo dominated the early stages, with Cedric Bakambu denied an opening goal after being flagged offside.
Jamaica improved after the break, creating chances from set-pieces but failing to breach the Congolese defence.
Bakambu had another effort ruled out for offside as the Leopards continued to press.
Their persistence paid off in extra time when Cipenga delivered the corner that led to Tuanzebe’s decisive goal.
A lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal, sparking celebrations among DR Congo players and officials.
The game was briefly disrupted in the second half of extra time following an injury to the referee.
Jamaica, however, could not find an equaliser as fatigue set in against a disciplined DR Congo side.
The result means DR Congo will make their second World Cup appearance, having first qualified in 1974.
They have been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia, and will open their campaign against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, Texas.
NAN
