Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Turkey, Czechia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo all secured their tickets on Tuesday, following a series of hard-fought playoff fixtures.
The European qualification process was split into four separate paths, each delivering one team to the tournament that will be staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada between June and July.
In Path A, Bosnia and Herzegovina advanced by defeating Italy on penalties after the final finished 1-1.
Sweden claimed their ticket in Path B with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Poland in the final, having first eliminated Ukraine in the semi-final stage.
Turkey earned qualification in Path C through a narrow 1-0 win against Kosovo in the decisive match, after overcoming Romania in the semi-finals.
In Path D, Czechia triumphed over Denmark on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the final.
On the intercontinental side, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Leopards ended a 52-year absence from the World Cup by beating Jamaica 1-0 in the playoff final at Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico.
The victory completed a demanding campaign in which DR Congo had earlier overcome Cameroon and Nigeria.
This success makes the Leopards the tenth African nation to qualify for the tournament and marks their return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1974, when the country was still known as Zaire.
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