Time for the 2026 World Cup?
- Chris Tuck
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
On the southern wall of the Old Praha Town Hall Tower, in the fading light, the famous astronomical clock strikes 6:00pm (CEST). In just 12 hours’ time, the final qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be known.
So far, 42 countries have qualified, and it has been quite a journey for those who have taken tonight’s more ‘circular’ route to the finals — extra games, extra excitement, extra stress.
Tonight, eight European sides will produce four more qualifiers, while four intercontinental teams compete for the final two places.
International time zones dictate that it is Europe first. Nowhere is the drama more heartfelt than in the Czech Republic. They last qualified for a World Cup in 2006 and sit 43rd in the FIFA rankings. Their Scandinavian opposition Denmark, sit 23 places higher and are favourites to progress.
The Letná Stadium, however, is a Central European stronghold. Tickets sold out in minutes, and locals arrived at the home of club side Sparta Prague with more hope than expectation. Denmark fans arrived in good voice and great heart — serial qualifiers, they were confident of a summer trip to the United States.
Denmark Fans PreMatch and in Away Section at Letna Stadium, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey
Elsewhere, Italian fans arriving at Stadion Bilino Polje in Bosnia were racked with nerves. Surely the mighty Azzurri could not miss three consecutive World Cups?
The final two European qualifiers saw Turkey head to Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Kosovo, while Poland travelled to the Strawberry Arena in Sweden.
As Father Time signalled that the talking was over, Czech fans produced a cacophony of noise and pyrotechnics. Four minutes later, they were in dreamland.
Czech Republic 1–0 Denmark (Šulc)
Just 72 hours previously, up to 200,000 protesters had gathered in Letná Park, just yards from the stadium, against the policies and plans of the new Czech government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Tonight, just under 20,000 inside the Letná Stadium breathed a collective sigh of relief as the half-time whistle went. Denmark had over 70% possession, with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg pulling the strings in midfield. The Czech Republic had defended with their lives.
Elsewhere at the break, Italy led by a goal to nil, Sweden were beating Poland 2–1, and Kosovo v Turkey remained goalless.
21:30 … tick tock… tick tock
Red card for Italy. Turkey score. Bosnia equalise. Christian Eriksen comes on for Denmark…
Eriksen, whose cardiac arrest while playing for his country in 2021 left him clinically dead for several minutes, remarkably returned to continue his career and featured throughout Denmark’s 2022 World Cup campaign. Thirty seconds after taking to the field, with no tangible contribution, Denmark equalise.
The majority of the 18,215 crowd are silenced.
22:40 … tick tock… tick tock
Sweden are through. A 3–2 win breaks Polish hearts and a second Scandinavian side has made it to the USA. Turkey win 1–0 in Kosovo, denying the hosts a first-ever World Cup appearance.
Two games go to extra time — in Zenica and in Prague.
22:51 … GOL! screams the electric scoreboard as the Czech Republic retake the lead. The large screen reveals it is the 100th minute. It is down to four degrees, but Czech ultras remove their shirts and hold scarves aloft. It is surely their time.
Back in the town centre, the old clock strikes 11pm. The Czech Republic are minutes from qualification. Seven minutes later, it is 2–2.
And so, as it so often does, it comes to a penalty shoot-out — such an American-style conclusion that it somehow feels fitting. Italy do what Italy now do: three missed penalties, and their New York diaspora won’t get to welcome their European cousins. In Prague, time slows.
Denmark inexplicably miss three penalties, and Scandinavia will have to make do with just two representatives. In Prague, fans hug, scream, and a country unites in a way only football can inspire.
All over? Not quite.
As the clock keeps pace with a spinning world westward, Mexico hosts the final two matches.
DR Congo — a country scarred by conflict — defeat Jamaica at the Estadio Akron and become the 47th team to qualify for USA/Mexico/Canada 2026.
Around 12 hours after the old clock began the evening’s journey, the final whistle sounds at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, and Iraq take the final qualifying place. Forty-eight disparate but proud nations now have just ten weeks before taking to the world stage.
Back in Prague, the sun has risen on a new day. The first tourists arrive beneath the medieval astronomical clock to hear the famous chimes.
Tick tock…
