Teams Train for March 26 Semifinals — Italy, Kosovo, Sweden Hold Final Sessions

The final preparation day before the March 26 UEFA playoff semifinals saw all competing nations hold press conferences and training sessions. Italy's Roberto Mancini, under enormous pressure to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence after missing 2018 and 2022, confirmed Sandro Tonali would start. Sweden's manager confirmed Viktor Gyökeres fit and available despite prior fitness speculation, a critical boost ahead of the Ukraine clash. Kosovo's Alban Hajdari stated his side were 'ready to make history' against Slovakia. For the intercontinental bracket, both Bolivia and Jamaica trained at Estadio BBVA and Estadio Akron respectively, with FIFA confirming the venues were match-ready. Bosnia-Herzegovina's Edin Džeko — at 40 one of the oldest players in playoff contention — was confirmed fit to lead the squad.