The decisive day of the UEFA Playoffs for the FIFA 2026 World Cup came to an end with matches that marked the fate of several European teams. In a matter of minutes, the last available tickets were decided and, with them, the complete picture of the Group Stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Now, with the official results, the scenario is also clear for the Mexican national team, which already knows its European rival in the next World Cup.
Who will be Mexico’s opponent in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup?
After the results of the playoffs, it was confirmed that Mexico will face the Czech Republic. After 20 years of absence from the big party, the Czech Republic will play in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
This crossover occurs due to the allocation of pots and the final arrangement after the play-off qualifiers, which ends up defining the outlook of the group.
What were the results of the UEFA playoffs for the 2026 World Cup?
- Bosnia 1 (4) vs Italy 1 (1): Bosnia qualifies on penalties
- Sweden 3 vs Poland 2: Sweden qualify in regulation time
- Czechia 2 (3) vs Denmark 2 (1): Czechia qualify on penalties
- Kosovo 0 vs Turkey 1: Turkey qualifies in regulation time
The day was marked by two penalty shootouts and two matches that were decided in the final minutes.
Which teams qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the UEFA play-offs?
- Bosnia
- Sweden
- Czech Republic
- Turkey
These teams join the already qualified European block, consolidating UEFA’s presence at the 2026 World Cup with teams that arrive in competitive rhythm after high-demand matches.
Which teams were eliminated from the UEFA Playoffs for the 2026 World Cup?
- Italy
- Poland
- Denmark
- Kosovo
The elimination of Italy confirms a deep crisis in one of the historical powers of world soccer. The Azzurra has now gone three consecutive World Cups without qualifying (2018, 2022 and 2026), which represents 12 years without playing in a World Cup, a fact that shakes the European scene.
Teams such as Denmark were also left out despite their recent growth, which reshapes the competitive level ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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