Ten nationwide groups noticed their World Cup goals crushed Thursday within the closing spherical of qualifiers. Ten others superior to Tuesday’s finals, the place a ticket to this summer time’s soccer fest in North America might be on the road.
Italy, Kosovo, Denmark amongst groups advancing
Within the European qualifiers, Italy saved its hopes alive of qualifying for the for the primary time since 2014 with a 2-0 win over Northern Eire on Thursday within the UEFA Path A playoff semifinal. Second half targets from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean helped the Azzurri advance to Tuesday’s closing.
Italy will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, which beat Wales after 4-2 on penalty kicks.
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The ultimate in Group B will see Sweden taking over Poland after each side had two completely different victories of their respective semifinals.
Viktor Gyökeres netted a hat trick because the Swedes had a straightforward time beating Ukraine 3-0. After falling behind 1-0 late within the first half, Poland acquired targets from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski 10 minutes aside en path to a 2-1 victory over Albania.
Over in Group C, a 53rd-minute purpose from Ferdi Kadioğlu, arrange by a candy help from Actual Madrid’s Arda Güler, lifted Türkiye to a 1-0 win over Romania in Istanbul.
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Türkiye will face Kosovo subsequent week after the Dardanët outlasted Slovakia in a wild match, 4-3, which featured this free kick from Florent Muslija:
Gustav Isaksen bagged a brace in a span of two minutes as Denmark rolled over North Macedonia 4-0 to maneuver on to the Group D closing.
The Danes will tackle Czechia, who netted an 86th minute equalizer after which edged Eire in penalties 4-3.
On Thursday night time, the FIFA playoff semifinals kicked off with Bolivia getting the 2-1 win over Suriname. After each groups went scoreless within the first half, Suriname took the 1-0 lead shortly after halftime. However Bolivia scored two targets inside seven minutes to storm again, with Miguel Terceros’ penalty kick within the 79th minute serving because the game-winner.
With the win, Bolivia faces Iraq as a part of Pathway 2.
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At Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, the place 4 World Cup matches might be performed this summer time, CONCACAF’s Jamaica took on Oceania’s New Caledonia for an opportunity to play DR Congo. The Reggae Boyz ended up advancing because of a first-half purpose from Wrexham’s Bailey Cadamarteri, who acquired on the board with a fast blast off a rebound.
After the opener, Jamaica did not ship time and again as New Caledonia fought until the final minute. However ultimately, Cadamarteri’s purpose was the distinction and the Reggae Boyz survive to battle one other day.
Right here’s how Tuesday’s World Cup playoffs unfolded in real-time:
Dwell protection is over74 updatesThu, March 26, 2026 at 1:04 PM PDT
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Full-time: New Caledonia 0-1 JamaicaFull-time: Bolivia 2-1 Suriname Full-time: Türkiye 1-0 RomaniaFull-time: Italy 2-0 Northern IrelandFull-time: Denmark 4-0 North MacedoniaFull-time: Slovakia 3-4 KosovoFull-time: Ukraine 1-3 SwedenFull-time: Poland 2-1 Albania Full-time: Wales 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H advances 4-2 on PKs)Full-time: Czechia 2-2 Eire (Czechia advances 4-3 on PKs)
Thu, March 26, 2026 at 9:58 PM PDT
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Jamaica was one and achieved Thursday night time in Guadalajara because of a first-half purpose from Cadamarteri. The Reggae Boyz advance to face DR Congo on Tuesday with a World Cup spot on the road.
Thu, March 26, 2026 at 9:28 PM PDT
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The Reggae Boys have taken 12 photographs with 5 on the right track but are nonetheless clinging to their 1 purpose lead.
Thu, March 26, 2026 at 9:10 PM PDT
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Can Jamaica add to its lead or will New Caledonia stage a comeback?
Jamaica’s midfielder #04 Ephron Mason-Clark, New Caledonia’s defender #19 Joseph Athale, Jamaica’s ahead #02 Andre Brooks and Jamaica’s midfielder #16 Karoy Anderson battle for the ball through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers semi-final playoff soccer match between New Caledonia and Jamaica on the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico on March 26, 2026. (Photograph by Ulises Ruiz / AFP by way of Getty Photos)
(ULISES RUIZ by way of Getty Photos)Thu, March 26, 2026 at 8:54 PM PDT
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With the Reggae Boyz enjoying at a puzzling tempo and missing their normal aptitude in opposition to lowly New Caledonia, ranked 150 on the earth by FIFA, a minimum of the scoreline is in Jamaica’s favor with 45 minutes left to play.
Thu, March 26, 2026 at 8:39 PM PDT
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With Blake coming off his line, Joseph Athale almost scored from 40 yards out but it surely was only a bit too excessive and landed on prime of the web. Minutes later, Georges Gope-Fenepej tried to do the identical however Blake caught as much as it. He’ll suppose twice about coming too far out.
Jamaica’s goalkeeper #01 Andre Blake grabs the ball through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers semi-final playoff soccer match between New Caledonia and Jamaica on the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico on March 26, 2026. (Photograph by Ulises Ruiz / AFP by way of Getty Photos)
(ULISES RUIZ by way of Getty Photos)Thu, March 26, 2026 at 8:35 PM PDT
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The boo birds have been popping out at Estadio Akron shortly earlier than Cadamarteri’s opener. What number of extra can Jamaica rating?
Thu, March 26, 2026 at 8:21 PM PDT
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After struggling to begin issues off, Wrexham’s Bailey Cadamarteri lastly delivered the opening purpose after a goalkeeper deflection. That ought to be an enormous confidence increase for the Reggae Boyz who got here into the match fairly listless in opposition to an inferior opponent.
Thu, March 26, 2026 at 7:51 PM PDT
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New Caledonia: Rocky Nyikeine; Didier Simane, Fonzy Ranchain, Joseph Athale, Morgan Mathelon, Abiezer Jeno; Joris Kenon, César Zéoula, Angelo Fulgini; Georges Gope-Fenepej, Jean-Jacques Katrawa
Jamaica: Andre Blake; Joel Latibeaudiere, Richard King, Ethan Pinnock, Ronaldo Webster; Ephron Mason-Clark, Isaac Hayden, Karoy Anderson; Andre Brooks, Bailey Cadamarteri, Tyreece Campbell
Thu, March 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
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Kari Anderson
Bolivia come again from being 1-0 all the way down to take the 2-1 win, with Miguel Terceros’ 79th-minute penalty securing the victory.
Kari Anderson
After two targets in seven minutes, Bolivia has taken the lead over Suriname. The go-ahead purpose comes off a penalty from ahead Miguel Terceros, who hits the stutter-step earlier than burying it.
Kari Anderson
Moises Paniagua will get the equalizer for Bolivia off a second-chance shot within the 72nd minute, and we’re tied at 1-1.
Kari Anderson
Suriname will get carded twice in three minutes, with defenders Melayro Bogarde and Shaquille Pinas given yellows within the 66th and 69th minutes, respectively. Pinas is rapidly subbed out in favor of Anfernee Dijksteel.
Kari Anderson
Kari Anderson
Liam van Gelderen breaks the stalemate within the forty eighth minute, sticking with it to seek out the again of the web and put Suriname up 1-0.
Kari Anderson
Sean Leahy
Bosnia and Herzegovina beats Wales in penalties 4-2 and can face Italy on Tuesday within the Path A closing.
Czechia topped Eire after PKs 4-3 and can transfer on to play Denmark within the Path D closing.
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There have been no targets to be present in additional time for Eire and Czechia and Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Two groups will transfer on to their respective path finals by way of penalties.
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Edin Džeko, who was subbed off within the ninetieth minute, obtained a yellow card.
Sean Leahy
The Czechs equalizer by Ladislav Krejcí and Edin Džeko’s for Bosnia and Herzegovina — each coming within the 86th minute of their respective matches — are the explanation why we’re in additional time in Prague.
We’ll play a minimum of one other quarter-hour earlier than we’d must determine these matches by penalty kicks.
2026 World Cup playoff schedulePathway 1
March 26, 2026: New Caledonia 0-1 Jamaica
March 31, 2026: DR Congo vs. Jamaica – 5 p.m. ET (FS1)
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The winner of Pathway 1 might be part of with Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Pathway 2
March 26, 2026: Bolivia 2-1 Suriname
March 31, 2026: Iraq vs. Bolivia – 11 p.m. ET (FS1)
The winner of Pathway 2 might be part of with France, Senegal and Norway.
UEFA Path A bracket
March 26, 2026: Italy 2, Northern Eire 0
March 26, 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina 1, Wales 1 (B&H advances after PKs)
March 31, 2026: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy
The winner of UEFA Path A might be part of with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
UEFA Path B bracket
March 26, 2026: Sweden 3, Ukraine 1
March 26, 2026: Poland 2, Albania 1
March 31, 2026: Sweden vs. Poland
The winner of UEFA Path B might be part of with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
UEFA Path C bracket
March 26, 2026: Türkiye 1, Romania 0
March 26, 2026: Kosovo 4, Slovakia 3
March 31, 2026: Kosovo vs. Türkiye
The winner of UEFA Path C might be part of with the US, Paraguay and Australia.
UEFA Path D bracket
March 26, 2026: Denmark 4, North Macedonia 0
March 26, 2026: Czechia 2, Eire 2 (Czechia advances after PKs)
March 31, 2026: Czechia vs. Denmark – 3:45 p.m. ET
The winner of UEFA Path D might be part of with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.