North Macedonia
Balkan nation; famously eliminated Italy in 2022 WC playoff; lost to Italy in 2026 semi-final.
Last refreshed: 2 April 2026
Can the nation that humiliated Italy in 2022 finally reach a World Cup?
Latest on North Macedonia
- Did North Macedonia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
- No. North Macedonia lost to Italy 2-0 in the UEFA playoff semi-final on 27 March 2026.Source: UEFA
- When did North Macedonia beat Italy in World Cup qualifying?
- North Macedonia beat Italy 1-0 in the 2022 World Cup playoff semi-final in Palermo, eliminating them from Qatar 2022.
- What was North Macedonia first major tournament?
- Euro 2020 (played in 2021) was their debut at a major international tournament.
- Who are North Macedonia key football players in 2026?
- Captain Enis Bardhi is the current creative spine; Goran Pandev led the historic 2020-22 generation before retiring.
Background
North Macedonia made a dramatic re-entry into World Cup qualifying in the 2026 European playoffs, facing Italy in the semi-final. Italy won 2-0 on 27 March 2026, preventing North Macedonia from reaching a final. This reversed the shock they delivered in 2022, when a last-minute goal eliminated Italy in Palermo and kept the four-time world champions out of Qatar.
North Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and joined FIFA in 1994. Their most celebrated moment was Euro 2020, their first appearance at a major tournament. They famously defeated Germany 2-1 in Duisburg during qualifying. The squad has been built around captain Enis Bardhi, the creative midfielder who has carried the team since the retirement of Goran Pandev.
With a population of roughly 2.1 million, North Macedonia punches well above its weight in European football. Their 2026 semi-final appearance marked their deepest run in World Cup qualifying. They remain without a World Cup finals place, having come closer than any previous Macedonian generation.