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North Macedonia
Nation / PlaceMK

North Macedonia

Balkan nation; eliminated Italy from 2022 World Cup; lost 2026 play-off semi-final to Denmark.

North Macedonia lost 2-0 to Italy in the World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final on 27 March 2026, reversing the 1-0 upset that had eliminated Italy from Qatar 2022, and remains without a World Cup finals place.

Last refreshed: 31 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Can the nation that humiliated Italy in 2022 finally reach a World Cup?

Timeline for North Macedonia

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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 finals place, having come closer than any previous Macedonian generation.

Common Questions
Did North Macedonia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
No. North Macedonia lost 4-0 to Denmark in the UEFA World Cup play-off 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.
What is North Macedonia population and geography?
A landlocked Balkan nation of roughly 2.1 million people, bordered by Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and Kosovo.
Is North Macedonia part of the EU's gas storage reporting system?
No. North Macedonia reports its own storage data through AGSI+ as a non-EU country. On the gas day to 30 July 2026, non-EU AGSI+ reporters (Ukraine, Serbia, Moldova, North Macedonia) held storage 28.95% full against the EU aggregate of 56.39%.Source: GIE AGSI+