Ten Nerazzurri in action in the playoffs and friendlies: Calhanoglu and Turkey will be heading to the World Cup

The European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup have officially come to an end. On Tuesday evening, seven Nerazzurri players featured in the playoff finals, while three others took part in international friendlies. Barella, Bastoni, Dimarco, Esposito, and Frattesi represented Italy and were defeated on penalties away to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the same for Zielinski's Poland, who were defeated by Sweden at the death. However, it was an unforgettable night for Turkey and their captain, Hakan Calhanoglu: the Turkish national team beat Kosovo in Pristina to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. In the friendlies, Dumfries and De Vrij's side, the Netherlands, drew with Ecuador, while Akanji's Switzerland also held Norway to a draw on the road.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 5-2 ITALY PENALTIES (1-1 AET)

It was a very disappointing night for the Italian national team in Zenica. The Azzurri lost the playoff final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties and failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Three Nerazzurri players were named in the starting line-up by head coach Gattuso for the playoff final at the Bilino Polje Stadium: Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, and Federico Dimarco. Italy got off to a promising start and took the lead in the 15th minute through a great goal from Moise Kean, assisted by Barella. The Azzurri dominated the game, but the tempo changed in the 41st minute when Bastoni was sent off after receiving a straight red card from referee Turpin. In the second half, Italy came under pressure as Bosnia pushed forward. However, the Azzurri had a major opportunity to double their lead on the counterattack through Kean, who failed to hit the target. In the 71st minute, Pio Esposito came on to replace Kean. Eight minutes later, the hosts equalised through Tabakovic. Gattuso then played the final Nerazzurri player from the bench, bringing on Frattesi in place of Barella in the 85th minute. The equaliser pushed the match into extra time, where Dimarco was no longer on the pitch, having been replaced by Spinazzola during the break before stoppage time. In extra time, both teams attacked openly, and Pio Esposito came close to scoring with a powerful header that the Bosnian goalkeeper saved. In the penalty shootout, Bosnia and Herzegovina converted through Tahirovic, Tabakovic, Alajbegovic, and Bajraktarevic. While for Italy, only Tonali was able to score from a spot kick, while Esposito and Cristante missed their attempts. The playoff final in Zenica ended with Bosnia and Herzegovina securing their place at the World Cup, while Italy once again fell short of qualification.

KOSOVO 0-1 TURKEY

An unforgettable night for Turkey, who return to the World Cup 24 years after their last appearance. Hakan Calhanoglu’s national team secured qualification for the tournament by defeating Kosovo 1–0 in Pristina in the playoff final.

At the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Turkey secured a narrow victory and an unforgettable moment for the entire nation. It was a challenging match on a tough away ground, but Vincenzo Montella’s side needed just one goal, scored by Akturkoglu in the 53rd minute, to beat Kosovo on their own turf. It was a very emotional night for Hakan Calhanoglu: the Nerazzurri midfielder and Turkey captain played a leading role in this historic achievement, featuring for 83 minutes before being replaced by Elmali.

SWEDEN 3–2 POLAND

A bitter night for Piotr Zielinski’s Poland: the Nerazzurri midfielder’s national team were beaten 3–2 by Sweden in Solna and did not manage to qualify for the World Cup.

It was a close game and an action-packed match, decided only in the closing stages. Sweden took the lead in the 19th minute through Elanga, before Poland equalised in the 33rd minute with a goal from Zalewski, assisted by Zielinski. However, by the end of the first half, Sweden were back in front thanks to a goal from Lagerbielke. Early in the second half, Poland equalised again through Swiderski, but a goal from Viktor Gyokeres in the 88th minute sealed Poland’s fate and sent Sweden through. Zielinski recorded an assist and played the full 90 minutes, delivering a strong performance that ultimately was not enough to take his national team to the next World Cup in the United States.

NORWAY 0–0 SWITZERLAND

Switzerland’s international break came to an end with a draw, as they were unable to score against Norway in Oslo.

Akanji, who was part of the starting line-up by head coach Yakin, also wore the captain’s armband for Switzerland in the away match against Norway. The Nerazzurri defender featured only in the first half before being replaced by Amenda at the start of the second half.

NETHERLANDS 1–1 ECUADOR

The Netherlands’ set of international friendlies ended with a 1–1 draw against Ecuador in Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion.

It was an intercontinental friendly for Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij’s Netherlands. Koeman’s side, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, featured both Nerazzurri players starting. The Oranje went ahead in the 3rd minute due to an own goal by Pacho, but Dumfries was sent off in the 12th minute, leaving the Netherlands with ten men. Ecuador equalised in the 24th minute with a penalty converted by Valencia, and the score remained unchanged. De Vrij played the full 90 minutes.