International round-up: World Cup places and playoff spots sealed

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Charlie Hanson

2025-11-21T09:00+00:00

Andrew Crofts embraces Wales boss Craig Bellamy after they confirmed their spot in the playoffs. 📷 by Football Association of Wales.

The World Cup dream became a reality for some of our international players during the November break, while the playoffs await others.

One of those whose fate isn't yet sealed is Yasin Ayari. The midfielder started in Graham Potter’s first game in charge of Sweden as they were beaten 4-1 by Switzerland, coming off just after his team went 2-1 down. He was then an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw with Slovenia.

Despite finishing bottom of Group B, Sweden already had a playoff spot booked thanks to their Nations League ranking. They face Ukraine in their playoff semi-final in March.

Kvällens startelva 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/COBaz7uyjd
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) November 15, 2025

Matt O’Riley was an unused substitute in both of Denmark’s matches as thy drew 2-2 with Belarus, before losing 4-2 to Scotland, as the Scots qualify automatically for the World Cup. The Danes will have to secure their place through the play-offs. They have been drawn against North Macedonia.

Ferdi Kadioglu’s Turkey finished second in group E after they beat Bulgaria and drew with table toppers Spain, earning themselves a playoff semi-final spot, where they will face Romania.

The Republic of Ireland can look forward to the playoffs after a last minute winner from former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott sealed a 3-2 win over Hungary. Andrew Moran was on the bench for their 2-0 win over Portugal, while but he or Evan Ferguson were in squad for their famous victory in Budapest on Sunday.

Belgium confirmed their place at next summer's tournament when they drew with Kazakhstan – with Maxim De Cuyper coming on for the final seven minute – before defeating Liechtenstein 7-0 to finish top of Group J, two points above Andrew Crofts’ Wales.

Bart Verbruggen started both of World Cup bound Netherlands' matches as they drew 1-1 with Poland before defeating Lithuania 4-0. Jan Paul van Hecke came on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes of the draw with the Poles, before missing their final group stage match through suspension.

Cameroon missed out on World Cup qualification when they were beaten 1-0 by Democratic Republic of Congo, with Carlos Baleba substituted at half-time when it was 0-0.

Greece will not be involved in America, Canada and Mexico next year after as they finished third in Group C. There was a silver lining for Babis Kostoulas though, when he made his senior debut in their 3-2 win over Scotland, before playing 25 minutes in their goalless draw with Belarus.

Babis Kostoulas made his senior Greece debut during the break. 📷 by HFF.

With the stakes not quite as high, Diego Gomez played in two international friendlies as Paraguay lost 2-1 to the USA before defeating Mexico 2-1 in Texas.

Youth call-ups

Mark O'Mahony, Jacob Slater - Republic of Ireland

England 2-0 Republic of Ireland – U21 Euro qualifier – Mark played 21 minutes, Jacob was an unused substitute

Andorra 4-0 Republic of Ireland – U21 Euro qualifier) – Mark started, Jacob came on for the final 12 minutes

Stefanos Tzimas - Greece Under-21s

Greece 3-0 Georgia - U21 Euro qualifier – Stefanos started, scoring once

Greece 4-0 Northern Ireland – U21 Euro qualifier – Stefanos started, scoring once

Under-19 call-ups

Adam Brett, Henry Kasvosve - Wales Under-19s