
The victory over Andorra not only gave Albania three golden points, but also put the Rossoneri directly into the history books.
Sylvinho's team is now the first European national team to mathematically secure participation in the 2026 World Cup play-offs, sealing second place in Group K without waiting for the last match.
Now, the focus is entirely on March and the draw that will determine Albania's rivals on the road to the World Cup. What is expected to become clear in the coming days is the pot where the National Team will be positioned in the draw - between the second and third pots. Everything depends on the new FIFA ranking of the qualified teams.
For Albania, the second pot would be a great advantage, as it allows the first play-off match to be played at home, against a rival from the third pot. Currently, the movements of the results in Europe, especially the fact that Iceland has passed Ukraine, have brought a temporary change in the panorama of the pots.
At this moment, considering the current standings, Albania's possible opponents in the play-offs would be:
North Macedonia, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Of course, everything could change with the remaining matches, but if the situation remains like this, the Rossoneri will start the playoffs at "home".
Possible Play-off pots
POT 1: Italy, Turkey, Poland, Hungary
POT 2: Scotland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Albania
POT 3: North Macedonia, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo
POT 4: Wales, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland