Italy, Denmark, Turkey and Ukraine look set to be the top seeds for the draw for this spring's World Cup playoff, it will become clear when the world rankings are updated on Wednesday.
In that case, it is in that quartet that Sweden's opponents in the playoff semi-finals in March will be found, where the bottom-seeded Blågult will play away. The winner will advance to a final for one of the four remaining European places in the 2026 World Cup.
Decided in extra time
The fact that Denmark is one of the possible opponents is due to Scotland's Kieran Tierney.
In added time in Tuesday's group final, with the score tied at 2-2, the former Arsenal defender received the ball and masterfully slotted home his second international goal of his career. To say it was his most important is something of an understatement.
The 3-2 goal meant three points and exactly what was needed for Scotland to take first place in the group and secure a direct place in the World Cup, while also sending Denmark to the spring playoff games.
In the final seconds, Kenny McLean made it 4–2 with a shot from the halfway line when Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was standing far out.
Spain and Belgium to the World Cup
In addition to Scotland, four more European teams secured their World Cup places on Tuesday: Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria.
The most dramatic thing happened for Austria, who needed a point in their own group final at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but ended up at an early disadvantage.
Brøndby striker Michael Gregoritsch emerged as the Austrians' great qualifying hero, when he smashed home a rebound to make it 1–1 with fifteen minutes left to play. Bosnia and Herzegovina will now focus on the playoff.
Lasse Mannheimer/TT
Facts: Countries ready for the 2026 World Cup
TT
A total of 48 national football teams will be allowed to play in the Men's World Cup in the summer of 2026 – 39 places are booked:
Asia (8 direct places): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan (debutant), South Korea, Uzbekistan (debutant), Qatar, Saudi Arabia.
Africa (9): Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal.
South America (6): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay.
North and Central America and the Caribbean (6): USA, Mexico, Canada (host nations).
Oceania (1): New Zealand.
Europe (16): England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Scotland.
Six national teams from Asia, Africa, South America, Oceania, North and Central America and the Caribbean will compete in a playoff for two World Cup spots in March.
The draw for which team Sweden will face in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup playoff will be made on Thursday.
Blue and yellow are found in the fourth and worst seeding group. The opposition is drawn from pot 1, which consists of the four qualifying runners-up with the best positions in the updated world rankings that will be released on Wednesday, November 19.
The highest seeded team plays the semi-final at home. The semi-final winner who gets to play at home in the final is drawn in advance.
The seeding groups ahead of the draw, based on the current world rankings:
Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine.
Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
Pot 3: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo.
Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland.
