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Denmark vs North Macedonia: Date, Time and Everything You Need to Know About the UEFA Playoff
Denmark enters as the favorite, but North Macedonia is ready to defend and strike… a match that could be decided by a single moment.
A decisive clash with the World Cup on the line
The UEFA playoff continues this Thursday, March 26, 2026, with a crucial matchup between Denmark and North Macedonia, kicking off at 3:45 PM ET at the Parken Stadion in Copenhagen, Denmark.
With a place in the next round at stake, both teams enter a no-margin-for-error scenario. The winner keeps their 2026 World Cup dream alive, while the loser will be eliminated in one of the most unforgiving formats in international football.
How Denmark arrives
Denmark reached the playoffs after finishing second in Group C with 11 points, recording three wins, two draws, and one defeat, in a group surprisingly topped by Scotland.
Their most recent result proved costly, as they suffered a 4-2 away loss to Scotland, despite taking the lead at one point, a result that ultimately denied them direct qualification.
How North Macedonia arrives
North Macedonia, meanwhile, enters as one of the playoff’s dark horses. They finished third in Group J with 13 points, behind Belgium and Wales.
Their latest result was a heavy 7-1 defeat to Wales away from home, a setback that contrasts with the consistency they showed throughout the qualifiers, where they recorded three wins, four draws, and just one loss.
Players to watch
For Denmark, all eyes will be on Rasmus Højlund, a clinical striker who is enjoying an outstanding season with Napoli. His physical presence and finishing ability make him the main attacking threat.
On the other side, Eljif Elmas stands out for North Macedonia, also playing for Napoli. The midfielder is a key figure in the team, bringing creativity, balance, and leadership to the squad.
Key factors of the match
One of the main factors will be Denmark’s ability to control possession and dictate the tempo, looking to create sustained pressure in the attacking third.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia is likely to adopt a defensive approach, staying compact and waiting for opportunities to strike on the counterattack. Efficiency in both boxes and defensive discipline will be crucial in what could be a tightly contested match.
Final outlook
The overall trend clearly favors Denmark, given their footballing tradition, squad quality, and backing from bookmakers.
However, North Macedonia has already shown they can compete and pull off surprises. A defensive game plan combined with a decisive counterattack could be enough to turn the tide and deliver one of the biggest upsets of the playoffs.
