World Cup Playoff 2026: Denmark-Northern Macedonia, likely lineups

Today at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen at 8:45 p.m., an in-or-out challenge for the 2026 World Cup playoffs takes the stage. Denmark, considered favorites playing in front of their home crowd, will have to deal with some heavy absences. In fact, defender Christensen and Manchester United outfielder Dorgu, two important pawns for the team, remain in the pits due to injury. On the other hand, North Macedonia arrives in Denmark ready to attempt yet another historic feat, despite having to do without its best offensive terminal, namely bomber Miovski, who is disqualified. He will leave a difficult gap to fill in attack. Without him, Milevski’s team will rely totally on the defensive wall and the talent of its historic leaders to try to snatch a pass to play in the final.

Riemer’s team is banking everything on controlling the game. In goal is the safety of Hermansen, protected in the center by the pair formed by Andersen and Nelsson, supported on the flanks by full-backs Maehle and Hogsberg. The midfield is the real engine, run by the immensely experienced captain Eriksen, whose job is to dictate the tempo. Up front, the weight of the attack is all on Hojlund, supported by the speed of Isaksen and Lindstrom, to close out the game as soon as possible.

The visiting team responds with a very covered form. The goalkeeper is Dimitrievski, protected by a four-man defense led by Musliu. In midfield, everything goes through the feet of Bardhi and Elmas, who must recover the ball and trigger the forwards immediately. In attack, without the disqualified Miovski, the burden is all on Trajkovski, ready to strike on the counterattack.

The likely lineups:

DENMARK (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Hogsberg, Nelsson, Andersen, Maehle; Norgaard, Hjulmand; Isaksen, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Hojlund. All. Riemer.

NORTHERN MACEDONIA (4-3-3): Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Musliu, Velkovski, Alioski; Alimi, Bardhi, Elmas; Churlinov, Trajkovski, Miovski. All. Sedloski.