San Marino’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup remain alive, albeit through a complicated route. Despite a dismal run in the World Cup qualifying matches, their recent achievements in the Nations League offer a glimmer of hope.
San Marino’s Current Standing
Ranked last at 210th in FIFA’s world rankings, San Marino has faced a challenging qualifying campaign. They have lost all seven matches in Group H and are assured of finishing at the bottom of the group after their final match against Romania next month.
Nations League Success
Before World Cup qualifying began, San Marino experienced success in the Nations League. They topped Group D1, positioning themselves for potential play-off opportunities. This performance is critical as it could still allow them to vie for a spot in the upcoming World Cup.
Path to the Play-offs
The 2026 World Cup will include 16 nations from Europe. The qualification process guarantees places to the 12 group winners. In addition, the 12 runners-up will join the four best Nations League winners who did not finish in the top two of their qualifying groups.
Current Play-off Contenders
- Wales
- Romania
- Sweden
- Northern Ireland
Among the 14 countries that topped their Nations League groups, only Moldova and San Marino are not currently in contention for play-off spots.
What San Marino Needs
For San Marino to have any chance of qualifying, two of the aforementioned teams need to secure a position in the top two of their qualifying groups. Importantly, this cannot replace another Nations League winner.
Impact of Romania’s Performance
The match between San Marino and Romania is pivotal. Romania, already in San Marino’s qualifying group, requires a significant win to improve their chances against Bosnia and Herzegovina, whom they face shortly before this encounter.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s slim chances of progressing make the overall performance of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Romania critical for San Marino’s World Cup aspirations.
Conclusion
While the road is steep, San Marino’s journey continues as they aim for a historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
