Slovakia vs Kosovo prediction 26.03.2026 | World Cup 2026 qualifiers
Slovakia
Kick off:
Date:
Kosovo
1
2.12
X
3.10
2
3.75
Contents
- Competition: World Cup 2026 qualifiers
- Date: 26/03/2026
- KO: 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
- Venue: Tehelne Pole Stadion
Chasing a place at this summer’s World Cup finals in North America, Slovakia and Kosovo square off in their play-off semi-final on Thursday evening.
The contest unfolds in Bratislava, where the Falcons and the Dardanians compete for the chance to face either Romania or Turkey next week, with a spot in the finals on the line.
With the sides set to meet for the first time, a tense and closely fought contest is expected at Tehelne Pole Stadion.
Slovakia team overview
Slovakia come into this crucial World Cup playoff contest after securing a second-placed finish in Group A. Francesco Calzona´s side enjoyed a strong campaign, winning four of six fixtures, but a 6:0 defeat in Germany on the final day ended their automatic qualification hopes.
Away defeats in Northern Ireland and in Germany proved costly, with the Slovaks finishing just three points behind the Germans.
Impressive displays in Bratislava have seen Calzona’s men win all three of their home qualifiers, including a notable 2-0 victory over Germany. Over a longer period, Slovakia have lost just one of their last 11 competitive internationals in Bratislava across the past two years.
Head coach Calzona has a 27-man squad available for Thursday's World Cup playoff encounter. An experienced group includes Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, who is expected to win his 72nd cap this week.
Matúš Kme and Róbert Boženík are notable absentees from the selection.
Last matches of Slovakia
-
Germany
6 : 0
Slovakia
WC Qualification Europe
-
Slovakia
1 : 0
Northern Ireland
WC Qualification Europe
-
Slovakia
2 : 0
Luxembourg
WC Qualification Europe
-
Northern Ireland
2 : 0
Slovakia
WC Qualification Europe
-
Luxembourg
0 : 1
Slovakia
WC Qualification Europe
Slovakia lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Martin Dúbravka
Defenders
-
6
Norbert Gyömbér
-
14
Milan Škriniar
-
4
Adam Obert
-
16
Dávid Hancko
Midfielders
-
21
Matúš Bero
-
22
Stanislav Lobotka
-
8
Ondrej Duda
Forwards
-
20
Dávid Ďuriš
-
15
David Strelec
-
7
Leo Sauer
Kosovo team overview
Bidding to reach a major finals for the first time in their history, Kosovo arrives in Bratislava after an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign that saw them finish second in Group B.
Drawn in a competitive section alongside Switzerland, Sweden and Slovenia, the Kosovans upset expectations to collect 11 points, securing a playoff spot ahead of more experienced opponents.
Unbeaten in their last five matches, Kosovo`s only blemish was a 4:0 defeat against the Swiss in their first fixture in Group B.
Head coach Franco Foda has a 25-man squad available for the trip to Slovakia. Amir Rrahmani and Leon Avdullahu
Last matches of Kosovo
-
Kosovo
1 : 1
Switzerland
WC Qualification Europe
-
Slovenia
0 : 2
Kosovo
WC Qualification Europe
-
Sweden
0 : 1
Kosovo
WC Qualification Europe
-
Kosovo
0 : 0
Slovenia
WC Qualification Europe
-
Kosovo
2 : 0
Sweden
WC Qualification Europe
Kosovo lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Arijanet Murić
Defenders
-
15
Mërgim Vojvoda
-
24
Florent Hadergjonaj
-
5
Lumbardh Dellova
-
3
Fidan Aliti
Midfielders
-
19
Dion Gallapeni
-
20
Veldin Hodža
-
6
Elvis Rexhbeçaj
Forwards
-
8
Florent Muslija
-
11
Fisnik Asllani
-
18
Vedat Muriqi
Prediction
Both teams showed solid form in respective home and away World Cup qualifiers last year, but Slovakia should have enough quality to eventually see off a tough-to-beat Kosovan side.
A home win is my best bet at Tehelne Pole Stadion.
Three Reasons Why We Expect Slovakia to Win
- Slovakia won 4 of their last 6 matches
- Slovakia won 4 of their last 5 home matches
- Kosovo lost 1 of their last 3 away matches
Main prediction Slovakia - Kosovo
Slovakia to win
Best Odds:
20Bet
2.12
