Denmark vs North Macedonia: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview

Denmark host North Macedonia at Parken Stadium on Thursday evening in a 2026 World Cup playoff semi-final. The winner moves closer to a place in the tournament finals.

Qualification context

Denmark finished just behind Scotland in their qualifying group. A 4-2 loss in their final game cost them top spot.

Brian Riemer’s side had led Group C with two fixtures remaining. A draw with Belarus and the defeat in Glasgow halted a seven-game unbeaten run.

Denmark seek a third straight World Cup appearance. In Qatar they earned one point and exited at the group stage.

North Macedonia route

North Macedonia ended third in their qualifying group. They won only two points from their last three matches.

A heavy 7-1 reverse to Wales stood out. Belgium claimed top place and direct qualification.

The Red Lynxes earned a playoff spot by topping Group C in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League. Their coach Blagoja Milevski was dismissed after the qualifying campaign.

Goce Sedloski takes charge for the first time on Thursday. North Macedonia reached the playoffs once before, beating Italy in 2022 then losing to Portugal.

Head-to-head and history

The teams met most recently in 2013. Denmark lost 3-0 at the National Arena Toshe Proeski in that match.

Denmark have hosted North Macedonia only once before. They recorded a 1-0 win in a 1995 European Championship qualifier.

Filmogaz.com Denmark vs North Macedonia: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview

Both sides name competitive squads. Several Premier League players feature in Denmark’s selection.

West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is included. He has taken the starting spot from Alphonse Areola at his club.

Rasmus Hojlund is Denmark’s main attacking threat. He has scored 10 league goals for Napoli this season and five in qualifying.

Denmark will be without Joachim Andersen because of suspension for accumulated bookings.

North Macedonia rely on Eljif Elmas as their standout player. He has played 26 league matches on loan with Napoli this season.

Goce Sedloski has called up Ezgjan Alioski and Bojan Miovski for his first squad selection.

Possible starting lineups

Prediction

Denmark enter as favourites at Parken. Their squad depth and recent form give them the edge.

Filmogaz.com predicts a 2-0 win for Denmark. The hosts should control the game and limit North Macedonia’s chances.