Form Guide: Czechia
The team were close to being knocked out in the previous round of the play-offs. In the semi-final, Czechia hosted the Irish on home soil and, unexpectedly, were 2-0 down by the 23rd minute. However, Miroslav Koubek's men quickly pulled one goal back, but had to wait a long time for the equaliser – they only made it 2-2 in the 86th minute to take the tie into extra time. The additional 30 minutes were goalless, and Czechia then snatched the coveted place in the final stage of qualifying in the penalty shootout. Interestingly, the national team have now gone 10 World Cup qualifying home matches without defeat (six wins and four draws).
- In their last 13 World Cup qualifiers, Czechia have suffered just two defeats (seven wins and four draws).
- Czechia have scored at least two goals in six of their previous seven home games in World Cup qualification.
- The national team have opened the scoring in seven of their last 10 home matches in World Cup qualifying.
Potential Czechia Lineup (3-4-3)*
Matej Kovar – Tomas Holes, Ladislav Krejci, Robin Hranac – Vladimir Darida, David Jurasek, Vladimir Coufal, Lukas Provod – Pavel Schulz, Tomas Chory, Patrik Schick.
Unavailable for various reasons: midfielders Vaclav Cerny, Vladimir Darida and Alex Kral, and forwards Matej Vydra and Jan Kuchta.
Form Guide: Denmark
Unlike the Czechs, the Scandinavians came through their opponent in the previous round with ease. The team hosted North Macedonia and swept them aside 4:0. Notably, Denmark scored all four goals in the second half. As a result, Denmark extended their unbeaten home run in World Cup qualifying to 13 matches (nine wins and four draws). We should also highlight Gustav Isaksen's brace – he has now scored three times in five matches of the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
- Three or more goals have been scored in Denmark's last six World Cup qualifying matches.
- The Scandinavians have scored at least two goals in their last six games in World Cup qualification.
- Away from home, Denmark have won 10 of their last 12 matches in this qualifying campaign.
Potential Denmark Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Mads Hermansen – Alexander Bah, Victor Nelsson, Christian Norgaard, Joachim Maehle – Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – Gustav Isaksen, Victor Froholdt, Mikkel Damsgaard – Rasmus Hojlund.
Due to injuries, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel did not report for international duty, nor did defenders Andreas Christensen, Patrik Dorgu, Rasmus Kristensen and Jannik Vestergaard, as well as midfielder Philip Billing.
Who Will Referee the Match?
Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Matches – 8 (international fixtures, 2025-2026);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Yellow cards per match on average – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match on average – 19;
Penalties – 25%.
* For each team, the starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is listed.
















