In contrast, Poland's elimination marks the probable end of Lewandowski's World Cup cycle, as the 37-year-old could have played his last match in the race for a World Cup. Teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup so far. The World Cup is the first with 48 teams and also the first to be hosted by three countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The championship begins on June 11, 2026, at the Banorte Stadium in Mexico City, and the final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Co-hosts Canada Mexico United States Asia Australia Iran Japan Jordan South Korea Qatar Saudi Arabia Uzbekistan Africa Algeria Cape Verde Ivory Coast Egypt Ghana Morocco Senegal South Africa Tunisia Concacaf Curacao Haiti Panama South America Argentina Brazil Colombia Ecuador Paraguay Uruguay Oceania New Zealand Europe Austria Belgium Croatia England France Germany Netherlands Norway Portugal Scotland Spain Switzerland With information from EFE and AP. The coach added that the qualification can have a significant impact on the country: "I know that qualifying for a World Cup can change a nation." Iraq is seeking to reach its second World Cup, after its only appearance in Mexico 1986, while Bolivia attempts to return to a World Cup for the first time since USA 1994. UEFA Repechage Finals LIVE: Today, Mexico's last rival for the 2026 World Cup is defined. In Europe, eight teams reached the repechage finals and are competing for four additional spots for the World Cup. The repechage finals for the 2026 World Cup are held this Tuesday and determine the last teams to complete the list of 48 participating teams in the next World Cup. The matches correspond to two different tournaments: the UEFA European playoff, which gives four spots, and the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Tournament, which grants the remaining two tickets. In Europe, eight teams reached the final round of the 2026 World Cup playoff and now play four single-match finals. The winners advance to a final against the two highest-ranked teams: Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The semifinals were played on March 26. Bolivia beat Suriname 2-1 in Monterrey, while Jamaica defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in Guadalajara, which defined the finalists. Match Date Time (Central Mexico) Venue Transmission Group that qualifies Democratic Republic of the Congo vs. Jamaica March 31 15:00 Akron Stadium, Guadalajara TUDN, ViX, FIFA+ Group K (Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia) Iraq vs. Bolivia March 31 21:00 BBVA Stadium, Monterrey ViX, FIFA+ Group I (France, Senegal, and Norway) One of the most-watched matches is Iraq vs. Bolivia. However, when the match seemed to be heading to extra time, Gyokeres appeared in the area to take advantage of a rebound and secure Sweden's qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For the Arsenal striker, it will be his first participation in a World Cup. In parallel, the intercontinental tournament being played in Guadalajara and Monterrey brings together four teams in decisive matches. Intercontinental Repechage Finals LIVE TODAY: Schedules, where to watch, and results. The FIFA Intercontinental Qualifying Tournament brings together teams from different confederations. All matches are played this Tuesday and are single-match affairs. Match Date Time (Central Mexico) Venue Transmission Score Group that qualifies Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy March 31 12:45 Stadion Bilino Polje SKY Sports Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (Minute 105+2) Group B (Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland) Sweden vs. Poland March 31 12:45 Strawberry Arena SKY Sports Sweden 3-2 Poland Group F (Sweden, Japan, Netherlands, and Tunisia) Kosovo vs. Turkey March 31 12:45 Fadil Vokrri Stadium SKY Sports Kosovo 0-1 Turkey Group D (Turkey, United States, Paraguay, and Australia) Czech Republic vs. Denmark March 31 12:45 Generali Arena SKY Sports Czech Republic 2-1 Denmark (Minute 108) Group A (Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea) The last European match between Czech Republic vs. Denmark in Prague defines Mexico's last rival in the World Cup. Kosovo vs. Turkey: The Ottoman team returns to the World Cup 24 years later. The Turkish team secured its qualification to the 2026 World Cup by defeating Kosovo 0-1 in the European playoff final, played at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina. The only goal of the game came in the 52nd minute when Akturkoglu finished after a one-two with Orkun Kokcu. Sweden vs. Poland: Viktor Gyokeres eliminates Robert Lewandowski from the World Cup. In another of the finals for the 2026 World Cup, Sweden secured its qualification by beating Poland 3-2 in a tense match played in Solna. Participating are Iraq (Asia), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Africa), Bolivia (South America), New Caledonia (Oceania), Jamaica, and Suriname (Concacaf). The format establishes that the four lowest-ranked FIFA teams face each other in semifinals first. Iraq's coach, Graham Arnold, explained that the team arrived in Mexico after facing logistical difficulties derived from the war in the Middle East. "It has been 20 very tough days for us, but it is an honor and a privilege to be here," Arnold declared before the match. With this result, Turkey will join Group D of the 2026 World Cup, where the United States, Paraguay, and Australia are already present. Kosovo, which sought to play its first World Cup since competing as an independent nation, had moments of dominance and created clear chances in the first half. The team led by Vincenzo Montella secured the ticket thanks to a goal from attacker Kerem Akturkoglu at the start of the second half. The Ottoman team, led by Real Madrid's Arda Güler and Juventus's Kenan Yildiz, withstood the pressure from the local side and confirmed their presence in the World Cup for the third time in their history, after their participations in 1954 and 2002. Before the break, Samuel Lagerbielke put the Scandinavian team back in the lead. In the second half, Swiderski equalized the score again. Viktor Gyokeres scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute, a result that eliminated the historic striker Robert Lewandowski from the tournament. The match had constant offensive exchanges. Sweden went ahead with a goal from Anthony Elanga, but Poland reacted with goals from Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski. However, Turkish defensive solidity and goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir's interventions prevented the home side from scoring.
World Cup 2026 Qualification: Turkey and Sweden Advance, Poland Eliminated
As part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Turkey and Sweden secured their places in the tournament, while Poland, featuring Robert Lewandowski, was eliminated. The report provides a detailed account of the key matches, their results, and the group compositions.