San Marino, a small microstate in north-central Italy, currently sits at the bottom of the FIFA men’s world rankings. Despite its low standing, the team still harbors a slim chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. However, the road ahead is steep, as San Marino has lost all seven World Cup qualification matches this year, scoring just one goal while conceding 32.
Current World Cup Qualification Status
San Marino, with a population of fewer than 34,000, has a dismal track record. They have only secured three wins in 219 matches, and none of those victories occurred during World Cup or European Championship qualifying. All wins came against Liechtenstein, another tiny European state.
- Matches Played: 219
- Victories: 3
- World Cup Qualification Matches: 169
- Goals Scored: 1
- Goals Conceded: 32
Success in the Nations League
San Marino’s recent performances in the Nations League were slightly more positive. The team achieved two victories over Liechtenstein and a draw against Gibraltar, which allowed them to top their Nations League D group. This achievement has implications for their chance to qualify for the World Cup through the play-off system.
EURO World Cup Play-Offs Explained
The qualification process for the World Cup involves several steps. Twelve spots are secured by group winners. An additional four spots are available via UEFA play-offs to be held in March 2026. These play-offs will feature 16 teams, including the best-ranked group winners from the Nations League.
Teams Currently Competing
The following teams are in contention for the play-off spots:
- Spain
- Germany
- Portugal
- France
- England
- Norway
- Wales
- Czechia
- Romania
- Sweden
- North Macedonia
- Northern Ireland
- Moldova
- San Marino
However, currently, only five of these, including San Marino, are not positioned in the top two of their respective qualification groups.
Critical Upcoming Matches
To enhance their chances for a play-off, San Marino needs favorable outcomes in upcoming matches. Specifically:
- Romania must win against Bosnia on November 15.
- San Marino plays Romania on the final matchday.
If Romania defeats Bosnia, it could secure a top-two finish in Group H at San Marino’s expense.
Statistical Overview of Group H
| Position | Team | Matches Played (MP) | Points (Pts) | Wins (W) | Draws (D) | Losses (L) | Goals For (GF) | Goals Against (GA) | Goal Difference (GD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austria | 6 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 3 | +16 |
| 2 | Bosnia | 6 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 |
| 3 | Romania | 6 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 6 | +5 |
| 5 | San Marino | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 32 | -31 |
Conclusion and Future Prospects
San Marino’s path to World Cup qualification is undeniably complex. The team must rely on favorable outcomes from other matches while continuing to improve its performance. Moving forward, the microstate hopes to challenge the odds and secure a miraculous qualification. However, FIFA regulations prohibit any deliberate match losses, complicating their quest.
