Macedonia vs Denmark — preview Play‑Off Showdown for World Cup 2026
Skopje, MKD, (March,17 2026) — The stage is set for a pivotal European playoff clash as North Macedonia travels to Denmark in a one‑leg eliminator for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The match will take place on March 26, 2026, at the iconic Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, with everything on the line as both nations vie for a place in the final tournament.
After a strong qualification campaign and earning a spot in the playoffs via the UEFA Nations League ranking, North Macedonia arrived in Denmark with belief and determination.
The Red‑Yellows have shown resilience in recent tournaments and will be looking to continue their upward trajectory under the guidance of head coach Goce Sedloski, who has named his squad for this crucial tie.
Denmark, historically a strong side in European football and a regular World Cup participant, enter the match as favourites. The Danes are impressed in their qualifying group and will be aiming to secure victory on home turf to progress to the next round of the play‑off path. Despite a mixed run of form in recent friendlies and qualifiers, Denmark’s quality and experience make them a formidable opponent.
For FF Macedonia, this represents a rare opportunity to reach just their second World Cup finals and first ever since the country’s independence after narrowly missing out in past campaigns. A positive result in Copenhagen would send shockwaves through European football and mark a historic achievement for the nation.
Sedloski Adds New Faces to North Macedonia Squad
North Macedonia coach Goce Sedloski has refreshed his squad ahead of the World Cup play‑off clash with Denmark, introducing several new names and recalling some familiar faces.
In his 28‑man list revealed this week, Sedloski included four players from the domestic league, most notably central defender Imran Fetai making his debut and attacker Danny Musovski, who was born and raised in the United States but qualifies for North Macedonia.
Another newcomer is left‑back Sebastián Herrera, Colombian‑born but eligible after five years with Rabotnički and family ties to the country. Additionally, defensive mainstay Boban Nikolov returns to the national setup after an absence, while the Egzon Bejtullai have also earned a call‑up following strong club performances.
