World Cup 2026: The biggest nations at risk of missing the football tournament - shock as Italy, Sweden, and Denmark struggled
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place early next month in Washington DC.
There will be 48 teams in the pot on December 5, including England, who have already qualified, and hosts USA, Canada and Mexico. But who else will be at the World Cup? Who is at risk of missing the tournament?
Only the group winners qualify automatically from the 12 groups in Europe. The 12 runners-up and the four best Nations League group winners, based on the Nations League overall ranking, go into the play-offs in March.
It has been a disastrous campaign for Sweden, who have at least guaranteed spot in March's play-offs, thanks to their UEFA Nations League position.Listed below are the biggest nations at risk of missing World Cup.
Italy
CBS Sports gives Italy a “panic level” of 8/10, noting their poor qualifying start. Frustrated Italy fans streamed out of the San Siro, bracing for more World Cup playoff drama, after their team slumped to a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Norway on Sunday in their last qualifier.
Italy needed a nine-goal win to dislodge Norway from the top of Group I and secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The four-time world champions, who last lifted the trophy in 2006, now have to battle through the playoffs in March if they are to avoid missing the tournament for a third straight occasion.
Sweden
Despite having only recorded one point in their World Cup qualifying group, Sweden secured a place in the World Cup playoffs on Friday night without even playing. Sweden, despite currently being last in their World Cup qualifying group, have now secured a playoff spot for the World Cup thanks to their Nations League C group victory.
The four best Nations League group winners who do not finish in the top two in the World Cup qualifying group will receive a playoff ticket.
Denmark
Denmark have always been a strong team and contender. However, Scotland beat them on Tuesday night 4-2 with the Tartan Army securing an automatic qualification and winning the group. This saw Denmark into the play-offs which is a shock.
Türkiye (Turkey)
Similarly, Türkiye has always been a strong nation, but coming through playoffs is not a given. Group E of the 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers concluded with Spain and Turkey taking center stage in an exciting clash in Seville. With plenty of back-and-forth action, neither side could pull ahead, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw,
With this result, although Turkey didn’t secure direct qualification for the next World Cup, they clinched a spot in the UEFA playoffs along with 15 other teams, where they’ll have to give it their all to earn a place among the world’s best.