The World Cup qualification is drawing to a close, and the coveted spots for the 2026 finals are becoming scarce. For most national teams, losing is now strictly forbidden if they still want to be par...
The World Cup qualification is drawing to a close, and the coveted spots for the 2026 finals are becoming scarce. For most national teams, losing is now strictly forbidden if they still want to be part of the action next summer in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Only one tiny country might actually need to suffer a real thrashing in order to qualify.
Conveniently, San Marino would just have to keep doing what it has been doing so far. All seven of their previous World Cup qualifying matches have ended in defeat, with a goal difference of 1:32. So, just keep losing and the microstate is in? It’s not quite that simple—and it probably wouldn’t be complicated enough for UEFA either.
Playoffs Make It Possible
Because direct qualification is out of the question due to their negative record, the world’s 210th-ranked team must hope for a spot in the playoffs. The twelve runners-up from the European World Cup qualifiers are eligible for these playoffs, as well as four group winners from the Nations League. That’s where San Marino perks up!
In a sudden burst of sporting dominance, the enclave recently prevailed in Group 1 of League D against Liechtenstein and Gibraltar. But that’s only enough for the World Cup playoffs if enough winners from the higher Nations League groups have already qualified for the World Cup.
Among others, their World Cup qualifying opponent Romania could block the way. Romania, after all, were victorious in Group 2 of League C in the Nations League. Now, San Marino needs some luck and then their typically porous defense. For the football minnow to qualify, Romania must not lose to currently second-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina this coming November.
Concede Goals, Please!
📸 ALBERTO PIZZOLI - AFP or licensors
Then, the floodgates need to open for San Marino. While Bosnia and Herzegovina face group leaders Austria, San Marino travels to Romania. To be absolutely sure that Romania finishes in second place, the microstate would have to concede as many goals as possible so that, at the very least, the goal difference works against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Afterwards, San Marino just has to keep their fingers crossed that all the higher group winners from the Nations League have already secured their World Cup tickets, then win two playoff matches—and voilà —a chronically losing team would be at the World Cup. Simple, right?
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
📸 ALBERTO PIZZOLI - AFP or licensors
Category: General Sports