World Cup heartbreak for home nations

Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all miss out on next summer’s tournament in the US

Wales and Republic of Ireland missed out on World Cup qualification after they suffered penalty shoot-out heartache on a night to forget.

Craig Bellamy’s Wales were minutes away from a historic occasion in Cardiff after Dan James’ 51st-minute piledriver put them ahead, but ex-Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko levelled with four minutes left before extra time passed without a winner.

It was initially first blood to Wales in the shoot-out after Karl Darlow denied Ermedin Demirovic, but celebrations were short-lived after Brennan Johnson lifted his effort over and Neco Williams was denied to stun Cardiff City Stadium and give Bosnia a 4-2 win on penalties.

Bosnia will face Italy on Thursday in a World Cup play-off to reach the summer tournament in America.

Italy got the better of Northern Ireland after Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean struck in the second half to secure a 2-0 win.

Republic of Ireland’s miraculous World Cup recovery almost pulled off another outstanding result, but they let a two-goal lead slip in the Czech Republic before they suffered a 4-3 defeat on penalties.

Troy Parrott’s 19th-minute spot-kick was followed by a Matej Kovar own goal four minutes later, but Patrik Schick’s penalty before half-time set up a tense second 45.

The Czechs pushed for an equaliser and it arrived after 86 minutes when Ladislav Krejci found the net before spot-kicks were required to decide who would face Denmark after they thrashed North Macedonia 4-0 in their play-off.

Ireland momentarily went ahead, but Finn Azaz and Alan Browne failed to score from 12 yards and Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team missed out on a place at the World Cup after a 4-3 shoot-out loss.

Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres struck a hat-trick to inspire Sweden to a 3-1 win over Ukraine and earn new boss Graham Potter a maiden victory in charge.

Potter, who was only appointed in October, watched Gyokeres break the deadlock after six minutes in Valencia and the striker scored twice after half-time to send Sweden through to Tuesday’s play-off final in Stockholm where they will face Poland, who beat Albania 2-1.

Arber Hoxha put Albania ahead in Warsaw, but Robert Lewandowski levelled in the 63rd minute before Piotr Zielinski sent Poland through with a winner 17 minutes from time.

Turkey will play Kosovo for a place at the World Cup.

Kosovo produced a fine 4-3 win in Slovakia and Turkey got the better of Romania by a 1-0 score.

Published: 27/03/2026 by Radio NewsHub