The crucial UEFA World Cup play-off semi-final between Denmark vs North Macedonia is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 20:45 CET (2:45 PM ET). The match will be played at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Denmark are currently one of the strongest teams in their qualifying group and are heavy favorites to secure a top-two finish. North Macedonia are fighting for a play-off spot and will look to cause an upset on the road.
Denmark finished up Group C in second place behind Scotland, losing their grip on the top spot after a 2-2 draw with Belarus and a 4-2 defeat to Scotland in the final rounds. Still, they’re a tough side to beat at home, with just one loss in their last 20 matches at Parken.
North Macedonia made it to the play-offs as Nations League group winners after placing third in their qualifying group behind Belgium and Wales. They have a reputation for causing play-off shocks, most famously knocking Italy out in the 2022 World Cup play-offs.
Denmark vs North Macedonia Match Info, Date, Time, Predictions, Lineups & More
- Match: Denmark vs North Macedonia
- Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification – UEFA Play-Off Semi-Final
- Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Kick-off: 20:45 CET
- Venue: Parken, Copenhagen
- World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:
- Denmark: D W W W D L
- North Macedonia: D W W D D L
Team News and Analysis
Denmark’s official squad list includes Kasper Schmeichel, Joachim Andersen, Jannik Vestergaard, Andreas Christensen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Christian Eriksen, Morten Hjulmand, Rasmus Højlund and Mikkel Damsgaard, giving them a very experienced core in every area of the pitch.
Brian Riemer is the coach, and Denmark will be expected to control possession and push the tempo at home.
- Almost fully fit squad.
- Key players available: Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Rasmus Højlund, and Andreas Christensen.
- Expected formation: 4-3-3 or 3-4-2-1, focusing on high pressing and quick transitions.
North Macedonia’s squad is built around Stole Dimitrievski, Bojan Ilievski, Nikola Serafimov, Gjoko Zajkov, Eljif Elmas, Enis Bardhi, Darko Churlinov, Aleksandar Trajkovski and Bojan Miovski.
Blagoja Milevski’s side will likely stay compact and look to hurt Denmark in transition and from set pieces.
- No major new injuries reported.
- Coach will likely use a compact 5-4-1 or 4-4-2 to frustrate Denmark and look for counter-attacking opportunities.
- Key players: Eljif Elmas, Enis Bardhi, and Darko Velkovski.
UEFA’s play-off draw confirms that the path stays open only for the winner, so this match carries huge pressure for both teams.
Denmark is the favourite because of squad depth and venue, but North Macedonia have enough attacking quality to make this competitive if they stay organized.
That favorite status is an inference based on the official squad strength and home advantage.
Head-to-Head Record
The teams have met three times in their history, twice in competitive qualifiers and once in a friendly match –
| Date | Teams | Result | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Feb 2013 | North Macedonia vs Denmark | 3-0 | International Friendly | Skopje |
| 26 Apr 1995 | Denmark vs North Macedonia | 1-0 | UEFA Euro 1996 Qualifiers | Copenhagen |
| 7 Sep 1994 | North Macedonia vs Denmark | 1-1 | UEFA Euro 1996 Qualifiers | Skopje |
Denmark vs North Macedonia Starting XI Lineups
This is the predicted XI based on the official squad list, with both teams confirming their strongest starting lineup before the match.
- Denmark Starting XI vs North Macedonia (4-3-3): Hermansen; Hogsberg, Nelsson, Provstgaard, Maehle; Norgaard, Hjulmand; Isaksen, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Hojlund
- North Macedonia Starting XI vs Denmark(5-4-1): Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Musliu, Velkovski, Alioski; Alimi, Bardhi, Elmas; Churlinov, Trajkovski, Miovski
Key Players to Watch
- Denmark: The biggest names are Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Morten Hjulmand and Rasmus Højlund.
- North Macedonia: The danger men are Eljif Elmas, Enis Bardhi, Bojan Miovski and Aleksandar Trajkovski.
Match Prediction
Denmark are strong favorites at home and is predicted to win comfortably. North Macedonia are well-organized but lacks the quality to trouble the Danes.
Our call is Denmark 3-0 North Macedonia. This prediction is an inference based on the official squad lists and the match venue.
- Denmark 3-0 North Macedonia
Where to Watch Denmark vs North Macedonia
- USA: ESPN+, fuboTV, or Paramount+
- UK: BBC or ITV (check listings)
- Denmark: TV2 or Viaplay
- Global: FIFA+ or official UEFA/YouTube channels for highlights
This match could be decisive for Denmark’s hopes of direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Let me know if you want predicted goalscorers or a deeper tactical breakdown!
