His replacement was his compatriot Dario Herrera, who had been serving as the fourth official. The heat and the length of the match may have been decisive factors.

Although the relevant tests are still pending, it appears to be a muscle injury. It will be a matter of waiting to finally see what happened.

Tello is one of the referees highly regarded by FIFA. In addition to being present in this playoff, he also officiated at the last World Cup in Qatar, as well as at Euro 2024.

What happens when a referee gets injured during the match?

According to FIFA regulations, if a referee becomes unable to continue due to injury, they are replaced by the fourth official. If the fourth official is also unavailable, the most senior assistant referee typically takes over, ensuring the match proceeds without further delay.

The match? DR Congo defeated Jamaica

DR Congo secured their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in dramatic fashion, knocking out Jamaica with a 1-0 victory in extra time. After a scoreless 90 minutes of gritty, defensive play, the Leopards finally broke the deadlock in the added period to punch their ticket to the big dance.

It’s a heartbreaking finish for the Reggae Boyz, but a historic night for Congo as they officially join Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K.

“I’ve asked Gennaro Gattuso to stay and continue,” Italian Federation president Gabriele Gravina said after Italy’s heartbreaking loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, via Fabrizio Romano on X.

The coach also addressed the media after the game but didn’t talk about his future. Instead, Gattuso only lamented Italy’s World Cup exit, claiming the entire team was ‘hurt’ by the result.

When does Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy contract expire?

When Italy hired Gattuso as head coach in June 2025, The Guardian reported that he was signing a one-year contract, culminating in a potential 2026 World Cup participation.

With Italy once again watching the tournament from home, it remains to be seen whether Gattuso will remain on the touchline. The Italian Federation may have the intention to run things back, but will the coach be interested in doing so after this failure?

Gennaro Gattuso’s bold promise resurfaces as Italy misses 2026 World Cup

In October 2025, Gattuso went as far as promising that he would flee Italy if the national team missed the World Cup with him at the helm.

“I’ll take credit if I manage to achieve the goal, otherwise I’ll go and live far away from Italy,” Gattuso said in October 2025. “I’m already a bit far away [living in Marbella, Spain], I’ll go even farther. The consequence is that, I’m aware of it.”

Gattuso’s comments came after a 3-0 win over Israel. Back then, Italy were riding on a four-game winning streak and had secured a spot in the UEFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying playoffs.

Eventually, Italy fell short again, becoming the first World Cup-winning nation to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament.

Gattuso’s legacy in Italy

This is obviously a huge stain in Gattuso’s managerial career, though it doesn’t erase what he accomplished as a player with the national team. After all, he played a key role in Italy’s 2006 World Cup win.

That may explain why, even after an extremely disappointing result, the Italian Federation wants to give the Azzurri legend another chance.

[Watch Iraq vs Bolivia online in the US on Fubo]

With a World Cup spot still on the line, Bolivia national football team and Iraq national football team meet in Mexico for a high-stakes clash where there’s no margin for error. Bolivia arrives with momentum after a key win over Suriname.

Bolivians managed to keep alive its best chance in years to return to the global stage, while Iraq looks to capitalize on a second opportunity after narrowly missing direct qualification despite an impressive campaign. Expect a tense battle with everything at stake—don’t miss this crucial showdown.

When will the Iraq vs Bolivia match be played?

Iraq face Bolivia on Tuesday, March 31, in the Pathway 2 final of the FIFA World Cup qualification inter-confederation play-offs,with kickoff slated for 11:00 PM (ET).

Iraq vs Bolivia: Time by State in the USA

ET: 11:00 PM
CT: 10:00 PM
MT: 9:00 PM
PT: 8:00 PM

How to watch Iraq vs Bolivia in the USA

Catch the thrilling FIFA World Cup qualifiers showdown between Iraq and Bolivia in the USA. Stream the action on Fubo. Other options: Peacock, Fox Sports 1, FOX One and Telemundo Deportes Ahora.

Denmark were eliminated after conceding in the third minute through Pavel Sulc, who finished with his right foot from the center of the box following a corner kick. They regained hope with a 72nd-minute goal from Joachim Andersen, which forced extra time, where both teams scored to make it 2-2 and send the match to penalties. Denmark had previously defeated North Macedonia 4-0 in the same playoff stage.

With this result, Group A will be composed of Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, and Czech Republic. After battling and with more spots available in this edition, Denmark missed the opportunity, while Czech Republic secured their place.

When was the last time Denmark played in a World Cup?

The last time Denmark played in a World Cup was at Qatar 2022. In that tournament, the team coached by Kasper Hjulmand entered with high expectations after reaching the semifinals of the European Championship and delivering a strong qualifying campaign, but their performance fell short.

Denmark were eliminated in the group stage after a scoreless draw against Tunisia and defeats to France, 2-1, and Australia, 1-0, finishing at the bottom of their group.

When was the last time Denmark missed a World Cup?

The last time Denmark missed a World Cup was ahead of the World Cup in Brazil 2014. On that occasion, despite finishing second in their qualifying group behind Italy, they failed to reach the playoffs after being ranked as the lowest second-place team among the UEFA groups.

Before their appearance in Qatar, Denmark had delivered notable performances in previous editions, reaching a total of six World Cup appearances: 1986, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022. Their best result remains the quarterfinal run at France 1998, where they were eliminated in a 3-2 match against Brazil led by Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo. In Russia 2018, they also showed a solid level, reaching the Round of 16, where they were eliminated on penalties by Croatia.

As for Sweden, joy and jubilation are the name of the game in the “Elongated Country.” After a nail-biting showdown in Solna, the Blue and Yellows are through to the World Cup. Fans already know which group Sweden will be joining at the 2026 World Cup, and the national team can go ahead and book its flight to Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

For Poland, words can’t even begin to describe the utter heartbreak in the “Land of Fields.” The Eagles were oh so close, yet so far from making it to another World Cup. Despite a grueling journey through UEFA’s World Cup Qualifiers, Poland have come away empty-handed.

Poland miss World Cup for first time in over a decade

The Eagles had appeared in the last two World Cups (2018 and 2022), but failed to make it three in a row after Viktor Gyokeres’ late goal proved the difference in Path B’s final of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers playoffs. As a result, Poland are out of the World Cup for the first time since the 2014 tournament, held in Brazil.

Poland’s curse in the Americas continues

As the World Cup returns to the Americas, the Poles will be absent again. World Cups held in the “New World” have been elusive for the Polish national team. Poland have only participated in two of the nine tournaments held on the American continent.

The Poles qualified for Argentina 1978 and Mexico 1986 but missed Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, Chile 1962, Mexico 1970, USA 1994, Brazil 2014, and the 2026 tournament in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

Thanks to their triumph over Poland, Sweden will be grouped with the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia in the World Cup. Group F is set to be one of the most competitive and evenly matched in the tournament. Fans in the “Elongated Country” can hardly wait for the 2026 World Cup to begin.

The Swedes will make their debut against Tunisia—on paper, their easiest opponent in the group stage—on June 14. Almost a week later, the Blue and Yellows will go head to head with fellow UEFA rival the Netherlands on June 20. Closing out the World Cup group stage, Sweden will take on Japan on June 25.

Sweden are back in World Cup

After missing the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Sweden are back in the biggest soccer tournament. It wasn’t without a fair share of drama, though. In a back-and-forth showdown, it was Viktor Gyokeres who found the back of the net minutes away from full time to send his country to the World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will be Sweden’s second appearance in the last five world championships. Sweden had last made it to the 2018 edition, held in Russia. That time, Sweden was knocked out in the quarterfinals after falling at the hands of England by a score of 2-0.

Gyokeres: Sweden’s national hero

All eyes were on Viktor Gyokeres as Sweden hosted Poland in the Path B final of the European playoffs. Far from being fazed by the spotlight, the striker rose to the occasion when his country needed him most. After staying quiet all night at Friends Arena, Gyokeres pounced on a loose ball inside the box and made no mistake. It had to be him.

Gyokeres followed his hat trick against Ukraine in the semifinal with the golden goal in the final to send Sweden through. For the first time since 2018, the “Elongated Country” is World Cup-bound.

Iraq arrive knowing that consistency is key in a format where dropped points can quickly change the outlook in the standings. Stringing together results early can define whether a team controls its destiny or is forced to chase later in the cycle.

For Bolivia, the challenge is just as clear. Playing outside South America in this scenario adds intrigue, but the objective remains the same—stay within reach in the standings. A result here could give their campaign a much-needed lift.

What happens if Iraq beat Bolivia today?

If Iraq win, they qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This match is the inter-confederation playoff final, meaning it’s a one-game, winner-takes-all scenario. They already advanced directly to this final as a seeded team.

The reward is immediate: qualification to the World Cup group stage, where the winner of this bracket is set to join Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway. For Iraq, it would mark a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

What happens if Iraq and Bolivia tie today?

If the match ends in a draw, it goes to extra time and potentially a penalty shootout to decide the winner. Because this is a knockout playoff, there are no points awarded and no aggregate score. FIFA’s format requires a winner on the day, with 30 minutes of extra time followed by penalties if needed.

That means even if Bolivia and Iraq are level after 90 minutes, the stakes remain unchanged—only one team will advance, and the other will be eliminated. In practical terms, a draw simply extends the match, but it does not change the outcome structure: qualification will still be decided that same night.

What happens if Iraq lose to Bolivia today?

If Iraq lose, they are eliminated and will not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. This playoff is the final stage of qualification, featuring six teams competing for just two remaining spots. Losing this match ends their campaign immediately.

Bolivia, meanwhile, would secure qualification for the World Cup. The winner of this final advances, while the loser is officially out. For Iraq, that makes this match a true all-or-nothing moment.

The “Reggae Boyz” looks to take advantage of a roster featuring several Europe-based players, aiming to translate individual talent into consistent results. DR Congo, meanwhile, has built its recent campaigns on physical play and experience.

The margin for error is slightly wider, but still significant. The outcome of this match could shape how both teams approach the remainder of their schedule, especially with group positioning and tiebreakers likely to play a decisive role.

What happens if Jamaica beat DR Congo today?

If Jamaica win this match, they’ll secure a direct place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. The winner of this single-leg final advances immediately to the tournament.

This is a winner-takes-all scenario against DR Congo. There are no second chances, no return legs and no safety net. A victory would mark Jamaica’s second-ever World Cup appearance, returning for the first time since 1998.

What happens if Jamaica and DR Congo tie today?

If the match is level after 90 minutes, it does not end in a draw. The game goes to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout to determine a winner. FIFA’s knockout and playoff rules require a decisive result in single-match qualifiers like this one.

That means a tied score at full time only extends the game, it does not change the stakes. One team will still advance to the World Cup, while the other is eliminated from contention immediately.

What happens if Jamaica lose to DR Congo today?

If Jamaica lose, they will be eliminated from 2026 World Cup contention. The intercontinental playoff format is single-elimination, meaning defeat means elimination with no secondary qualification route.

DR Congo would advance directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing a long-awaited return to the tournament, making their first appearance since 1974, which remains their only participation so far.

The match began in Italy’s favor, with Moise Kean capitalizing on a costly blunder by goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to open the scoring. However, the Azzurri suffered a massive blow just before the halftime whistle when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card.

Gennaro Gattuso’s men showcased defensive resilience, holding their narrow lead for nearly the entire second half despite the man disadvantage. Their resistance finally crumbled with just 10 minutes remaining in regulation, as Haris Tabakovic found the back of the net to level the score for Bosnia.

After remaining deadlocked through extra time, the match moved to a penalty shootout where Italy’s composure completely vanished. With missed attempts from Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante, Bosnia and Herzegovina clinical from the spot, converting every penalty to secure a historic qualification and leave Italy out of the 2026 World Cup.

[Watch Congo DR vs Jamaica online in the US on Fubo]

A long-awaited World Cup return is on the line as Jamaica and DR Congo meet in a rare, high-stakes clash between two sides that have faced off just once before. The Reggae Boyz arrive with momentum after a gritty win over New Caledonia, aiming for their first appearance since 1998.

On the other side, DR Congo looks to continue its surprise run and secure a first trip back to the tournament since 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire. With history within reach for both teams, this is a matchup you won’t want to miss.

When will the Congo DR vs Jamaica match be played?

Congo DR take on Jamaica on Tuesday, March 31, in the Pathway 1 final of the FIFA World Cup qualification inter-confederation play-offs,with kickoff slated for 5:00 PM (ET).

Congo DR vs Jamaica: Time by State in the USA

ET: 5:00 PM
CT: 4:00 PM
MT: 3:00 PM
PT: 2:00 PM

How to watch Congo DR vs Jamaica in the USA

Catch the thrilling FIFA World Cup qualifiers showdown between Congo DR and Jamaica in the USA. Stream the action on Fubo. Other options: Peacock, Fox Sports 1, FOX One and Telemundo Deportes Ahora.

The game started with an early goal by Anthony Elanga that made Solna burst into joy. A few minutes later, Nicola Zalewski appeared to momentarily tie the game for Poland, but Sweden took the advantage again before halftime with a goal by Gustaf Lagerbielke.

In the second half, Karol Swiderski took advantage of a mistake by Sweden’s defense to score the equalizer. Nevertheless, with just three minutes left in regulation time, Victor Gyokeres scored the final goal to send Sweden to the World Cup.