Qualification for the World Cup
Surprise team has to bury their World Cup dream
November 14, 2025 – 11:02 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
In Croatia, the Faroe Islands wanted to keep the dream of World Cup qualification alive. But after a good start there was a defeat.
Croatia has booked its ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a victory against the surprise team from the Faroe Islands. The team led by veteran Luka Modrić (40) won 3-1 (1-1) after falling behind and qualified for the finals as an independent state for the seventh time. For the Faroe Islands, who had recently caused a stir with three wins in a row – including against the Czech Republic – the dream of a World Cup premiere was shattered.
In Rijeka, the spectators initially rubbed their eyes in amazement: the Faroe Islands took the lead through Geza David Turi (16th). The Croatians, third in the 2022 World Cup and even in the final in 2018, managed to turn things around thanks to ex-Leipzig player Joško Gvardiol (23rd), former Union player Petar Musa (57th) and Nikola Vlasić (70th) and are heading to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. From Europe, only England and France had previously bought their World Cup ticket.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands are almost there after a 1-1 (0-0) draw in Poland. Bonds coach Ronald Koeman’s team, as leaders of Group C, is now three points ahead of Robert Lewandowski and Co. and still needs a point in the home game against Lithuania on Monday, while pursuers Poland are visiting Malta at the same time.
It was initially a tough game in Warsaw. The Netherlands defended the draw to take the three-point lead into the final matchday. But the plan went wrong: Shortly before the break, Cologne’s Jakub Kaminski (43′) scored to make it 1-0 after an assist from Lewandowski. Memphis Depay (47th) managed to respond quickly after the break.