Sorry to everyone looking for another article on how Nico Schlotterbeck MIGHT sign a new contract! We’re embracing the international window and taking a look at the teams who qualified for the 2026 World Cup yesterday. Paul Johnson gave everyone a preview in yesterday’s Daily Bee but here are is the final slate from yesterdays qualifiers:
European Play-ins:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1
Italy(4-1 in penalties) - Czechia 2-2
Denmark(3-1) Kosovo0-1 Turkey- Sweden 3-2
Poland
Inter-confederation Final
- DR Congo 1-0
Jamaica - Iraq 2-1
Bolivia
The big news is obviously Italy and Denmark’s penalty defeats to Bosnia and Czechia. Italy will now miss their third world
cup in a row and have to way until 2030; 16 years after their group-stage knockout in 2014. While the Italian team won the Euros in 2021, it’s obvious that the team is lacking talent. Yes, they should have won in Bosnia and Alessandro Bastoni’s red card was probably the difference but there is an obvious lack of quality across the field. Still – it’s not fair they had to play against Bosnia AND Herzegovina!
Denmark’s defeat should be equally shocking because, unlike the Italians, the Danes actually looked good in their qualifying group. Denmark crashed into the European play ins after an absolutely legendary game in Hamden Park. Now, the Danes crashed out of the tournament all together after failing to convert their chances in Prague. The Danes dominated this match but ultimately the Czechs will be partying in June.
The Inter-confederation Final… also happened. Jamaica has struggled in recent years and, in CONCACAF qualifiers without the region’s three best teams, should be fairly embarrassed for missing out on this years tournament. Iraq making their second ever world cup and first in 40 years is extremely exciting. They’re being tossed into the hardest group in the tournament with France, Senegal, and Norway. I’m sure Iraqis won’t be complaining and are excited to see their country in the World Cup!
More Relevant News:
- Bayern Munich legend and Bundesliga
grifterpundit, Lothar Matthaus, tells Dortmund to set a deadline on Schlotterbeck talks. I’m sure that’s a novel idea that no one has thought of! - Felix Nmecha is set to be out until May.
- Eintracht Frankfurt extended Mario Gotze’s contract through 2028. The 33-year-old will spend another two years in the Bundesliga.
Your Thoughts
Who are you excited to see in the World Cup? Have you bullied your Italian friend yet? How many Herzgovinian players are on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national team? Let me know below!
