World Cup 2026 qualifying roundup: Northern Ireland in playoffs despite loss

<ul><li><p>Slovakia win 1-0 and battle with Germany for top spot</p></li><li><p>Netherlands nearly there after draw in Poland</p></li></ul><p><br>
Michael O’Neill fumed at a goal that “should clearly have been disallowed” after <strong>Northern Ireland</strong>’s hopes of progressing from World Cup qualifying Group A were ended by the <strong>Slovakia</strong> debutant Tomas Bobcek in a 1-0 stoppage-time defeat in Kosice.</p><p>Bobcek, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, prodded in after Bailey Peacock-Farrell failed to deal with a corner, but Northern Ireland were enraged that a foul was not given as Daniel Ballard had gone down under pressure from Leo Sauer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/14/world-cup-2026-qualifying-roundup-northern-ireland-in-playoffs-after-defeat">Continue reading...</a>