The calculations are reversed: Here are the possible rivals of Albania and Kosovo

2025-11-18 23:42:22Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
National celebration after the victory against Andorra

Albania must advance from the playoffs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. And with the conclusion of tonight's matches, the final panorama of Albania's potential opponents to face in March is now clear, among which there are two old acquaintances eager for a rematch: Poland and the Czech Republic.

Albania, based on the FIFA rankings, will be placed in the third pot in the draw, just like Kosovo, with the semi-final match, which will be played away against a team from the second pot. Today's matches have also determined the names of the teams that the Rossoneri and the "Dardans" will face at least in the first step of the draw.

After various group moves on the last day of the qualifiers, as well as the teams' situation in the FIFA rankings, the picture now finally presents the four teams from which the names of the semi-finalists for Albania and Kosovo will emerge: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In tomorrow's draw, the division of the semifinals and finals will be determined, where the winning pairs of the matches between pots 2 and 3 will face the winning pairs of the matches between the teams in pots 1 and 4. A draw will also be held on Thursday to determine which team will host the final in its stadium.

The first play-off matches are on March 26, while the final matches are scheduled for March 31.

THE DIVISION OF THE 16 NATIONALS INTO THE POT

POT 1 : Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine

POT 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia

POT 3: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo

POT 4: Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland


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