Play-off final headlines
• Italy will hope to avoid missing out on qualifying for the World Cup for the third time in a row as they travel to Bosnia & Herzegovina in a monumentally important game for the nation
• Denmark are aiming to qualify for the World Cup again after underwhelming in Qatar four years ago, but face a difficult test in the way of their hosts Czech Republic
• Despite having a dreadful qualifying campaign, an impressive win against Ukraine in the semi-final sees Sweden one win away from booking their spot in the United States, but a Robert Lewandowski-led Poland stand in their way
• In the final match, visitors Turkey are the favourites but Kosovo will be hoping to cause another upset (after stunning Slovakia in the semi-final) to qualify for their first ever major tournament
All the play-off final fixtures
Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (LATEST)
Czech Republic 1-1 Denmark (LATEST)
Key updates to keep you informed:
22:33 CET - VIKTOR GYOKERES MAY HAVE JUST SENT SWEDEN TO THE WORLD CUP!
After a few efforts from Sweden failed to go in, the ball bundled around the penalty area, before Gyokeres came steaming in to thump home from close range. They are minutes away from the World Cup.
22:30 CET - Finally, Bosnia have their goal against Italy after huffing and puffing in this second half!
It wasn't pretty, but they won't care, as Haris Tabakovic bundles it over the line after a good save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. The coach wants them to get the ball back; they are going in for the kill.
22:15 CET - Game on in Prague! Denmark have their leveller, from a free kick. A teasing cross from Mikkel Damsgaard is headed in from close range by Joachim Andersen, who could not miss. Poor defending from the Czech Republic, but a deserved equaliser for the Danes.
22:09 CET - Moise Kean could have sealed it for Italy, but he flashes over.
It's the first time the Italians have got out of their half in 15 minutes, and with one already under his belt tonight, you expect him to bury it one-on-one with the Bosnia keeper, but he fires over when well placed. A lifeline for the home side.
22:04 CET - As expected, Bosnia have spent the first 10 minutes of the second half camped inside the Italy half. Emerdin Demirovic, their most threatening player, has had a couple of half-chances but was unable to provide the proper contact. It feels like a matter of time before the hosts find a leveller...
22:00 CET - Two big goals have come in! The first in Sweden, with Poland making it 2-2 thanks to Karol Swiderski. Meanwhile, Turkey have taken the lead in Kosovo, with Kerem Akturkoglu getting a very faint touch on Orkun Kokcu's effort to tap home.
21:57 CET - Fun fact: Alessandro Bastoni's red card was Italy's first in 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, and their first since September 5th, 2016, against Israel.
21:52 CET - The second halves are getting underway, with 45 minutes (and potentially extra time) left to decide who will be going to the World Cup.
21:34 CET - It is half time in all four games, and every single one is tantalisingly poised. For the Czech Republic, they are 45 minutes away from heading to the World Cup for the first time in over 20 years.
Tempers have flared in Eastern Europe, and 10-man Italy will now have to play with discipline to put up a stereotypical defensive wall to survive as well as progress. This is Italy, though, you wouldn't expect anything less.
Turkey's bid for a first World Cup since 2002 is on a knife-edge, with Kosovo the better team in the first 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, Graham Potter is 45 minutes away from taking Sweden back to the World Cup, following what was a disastrous qualifying campaign.
21:31 CET - RED CARD! Italy are down to 10 men, as Alessandro Bastoni is sent off.
It's a poor challenge with Ermedin Demirovic heading towards goal, but whether it's denying a goalscoring opportunity is up for debate. Gianluigi Donnarumma, who gave the ball away from a poor goal kick, is incensed with the decision and gets into it with the Bosnia players, but it stands, and the job just got tougher for the Italians.
They make a change too, with Mateo Retegui the sacrificial lamb for Federico Gatti.
21:30 CET - Sweden have retaken the lead once more, with Gustaf Lagerbielke heading home from Benjamin Nygren's delightful free kick on the stroke of half time. The hosts are 2-1 up!
21:24 CET - Bosnia have been probing since falling behind to Italy, and they go close eight minutes before the break as Ermedin Demirovic's flicked header is just wide of the mark. They are causing the favourites problems, for sure.
21:22 CET - Huge chance for the Czech Republic to double their lead, but it goes just wide. Pavel Sulc, the goalscorer, threads through Lukas Provod with a delightful through ball, but his dinked effort gets a touch off of Mads Hermansen and rolls the wrong side of the post.
21:20 CET - Poland are level in Sweden! Nicola Zalewski has made it 1-1, cutting inside onto his right foot and sidefooting past Kristoffer Nordfeldt in goal. However, the 36-year-old Swede should have done better, letting the ball through his hands.
21:16 CET - Turkey are under serious pressure in Kosovo, with the home side knocking on the door. They could have even taken the lead, if it wasn't for a magnificent save from Ugurcan Cakir to tip a long-range effort onto the crossbar.
21:07 CET - The crowd have erupted in Sweden! Anthony Elanga has given his nation the lead against Poland after thumping the ball into the top corner in stunning fashion with his weaker left foot. Graham Potter's men are jubilant, but a long way to go.
21:01 CET - Italy take the lead in Bosnia, and it's Moise Kean with the opener!
It's a bad mistake from home goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, as he passes the ball into Nicolo Barella, who feeds the Fiorentina frontman, and he makes it look easy, finding the top corner with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
21:00 CET - Not much to report for Sweden and Turkey either, with their respective matches against Poland and Kosovo still locked at 0-0 after 15 minutes.
20:59 CET - A quiet start in Zenica, where Bosnia & Herzegovina are looking to catch Italy on the break. They have had the first and only shot of the game, but it was no bother for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
20:49 CET - Pick that one out! What a dream start for the Czech Republic, who lead Denmark 1-0 in the third minute, through star man Pavel Sulc. A corner from the right falls to the Lyon attacker at the edge of the box, and his half-volley is sumptuous, flying into the top corner.
20:46 CET - We are underway in the finals of the European play-offs, with a spot at the World Cup at stake!
20:05 CET - With 40 minutes to go until these crucial kick-offs, the line-ups are in. Check them all out below:
17:00 CET - Good evening and welcome to the play-off final! In less than four hours, four matches will decide the remaining European spots heading to the United States. It is decision day, and for anyone from the eight nations involved tonight, a nail-biting evening awaits.
The prize for the four winning countries is qualification for the 2026 World Cup and for the losers? A painfully long wait to try again.