Football picks for 31 Mar 2026: Analysis of 4 key matches to watch in the World Cup playoffs and today's football schedule.
On 31 March 2026, the key highlights in the international football calendar focus on the 2026 World Cup European playoff qualifiers and FIFA international friendly matches. Here is an analysis and preview of 4 notable matches:
- 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers, Playoff Final (Path A) / Kickoff at 01:45 GMT+7.
The "Azzurri" are one step away from returning to the World Cup finals after missing out since 2014. Despite finishing second in Group I behind Norway, losing both home and away, they gained confidence by beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in the playoff semi-finals. Italy has faced Bosnia six times, winning four and losing just once, including a 1-0 win in 2024. Coach Gennaro Gattuso may keep the same starting eleven as the previous match, led by goal scorers Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.
Bosnia also aims to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, which would be their second ever. Their 2025 record shows six wins against weaker teams like San Marino, Malta, and Cyprus, with draws against Austria and Cyprus, and losses to Austria and Slovenia. In the playoff semi-final, they drew 1-1 with Wales before winning 4-2 on penalties. Bosnia has beaten Italy only once, back in 1996. With forwards Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic, Bosnia may still struggle to secure a World Cup spot.
Analysis Italy will likely prevail and qualify for the World Cup.
- 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers, Playoff Final (Path B) / Kickoff at 01:45 GMT+7.
Sweden secured their first win under coach Graham Potter by defeating Ukraine 3-1, after two earlier results: a 1-4 loss to Switzerland and a 1-1 draw with Slovenia. They are close to qualifying for their 13th World Cup but face a tough challenge. Historically, Sweden leads the head-to-head against Poland with 15 wins and 9 losses in 28 matches, but Poland won 2-0 in the 2022 World Cup playoff final. Sweden must monitor injuries to Isaac Hien and Gabriel Gudmundsson and rely on striker Viktor Gyokeres, who recently scored a hat-trick.
Poland had tough competition in qualifiers against the Netherlands, finishing second in Group G with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss to Finland. In the playoff semi-final, they came from behind to beat Albania 2-1. Coach Jan Urban remains unbeaten in 7 matches with 5 wins and 2 draws, including a home-and-away undefeated record versus the Netherlands. Key players Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski, who previously dashed Sweden's hopes, lead the team. Nikola Zalewski returns from suspension.
Analysis Poland is favored to narrowly overcome Sweden again.
- 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers, Playoff Final (Path D) / Kickoff at 01:45 GMT+7.
Czech Republic seeks to end their World Cup absence since 2006 after finishing second in Group L with 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses (1-5 to Croatia and 1-2 to Faroe Islands). They won their last two matches against San Marino (1-0) and Gibraltar (6-0). In the playoff semi-final, they drew 2-2 with Ireland before winning 4-3 on penalties. Key players include Thomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, and top scorer Patrik Schick.
Denmark aims for their 7th and third consecutive World Cup appearance since 2018. They finished second in Group C, losing 2-4 to Scotland in their last match, with a record of 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. In the playoff semi-final, they impressed with a 4-0 win over North Macedonia. Denmark and Czech Republic are evenly matched, having met 12 times with 3 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses each. Denmark won 2-1 in Euro 2020 and remains unbeaten in the last 7 meetings. If Rasmus Højlund, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Gustav Isaksen perform well, Denmark has good chances.
Analysis Denmark is expected to secure the World Cup ticket.
- FIFA International Friendly / Kickoff at 01:45 GMT+7.
The "Three Lions" recently ended a streak of six consecutive clean-sheet wins by drawing 1-1 in a friendly against Uruguay. Coach Thomas Tuchel experimented with a full new lineup. In this match, England will start with key players including Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon. England remains unbeaten at Wembley under Tuchel with 4 wins, scoring 10 goals and conceding none, maintaining a scoring streak in their last 21 matches since a 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Euro 2024 group stage.
Japan has qualified for their 8th consecutive World Cup after an almost perfect qualifying campaign, winning all in Round 2 and losing only once in 10 matches in Round 3. They clinched qualification with three games to spare. After a 0-2 loss to the USA in September, Japan remained unbeaten for 5 matches (4 wins, 1 draw), including a 3-2 win over Brazil and a recent 1-0 away victory against Scotland. Japan has never beaten England in their three meetings (two losses, one draw), but key players Kaoru Mitoma, Daiji Kamada, Ritsu Doan, and Junya Ito will start, making it a competitive match.
Analysis England will win narrowly.