Denmark’s potential squad for the 2026 World Cup is gearing up for a crucial summer as they aim to book their place in the tournament through the play-offs.

Manager Brian Riemer has announced his latest squad selection ahead of this month’s decisive play-off fixtures.

As preparations for the tournament intensify, Denmark remain in contention for a World Cup berth and will begin their play-off campaign against North Macedonia on March 26. This will be the first of two possible knockout matches they must win to qualify.

If Riemer’s side triumphs in that encounter, they will then face either the Czech Republic or the Republic of Ireland for a place at football’s biggest global event later this year.

Denmark finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Scotland, which means they now head into the play-offs competing for one of only four remaining World Cup slots.

Riemer’s squad endured a heartbreaking defeat in their final group match against Scotland, conceding two late goals — one a powerful strike from Kiernan Tierney in the 93rd minute, followed by a remarkable halfway-line effort from Kenny McLean in the 98th minute.

At the 2022 World Cup, Denmark ended bottom of their group with just one point after losses to Australia and France, and a goalless draw with Tunisia.

Under Riemer’s leadership, the Red and Whites showed improvement in 2025, advancing to the Nations League quarter-finals before being eliminated 5-3 on aggregate by Portugal.

Goalkeepers:

Mads Hermansen (West Ham United)

Frederik Ronnow (FC Union Berlin)

Andreas Jungdal (KVC Westerlo)

Defenders:

Joachim Andersen (Fulham)

Oliver Provstgaard (Lazio)

Lucas Hogsberg (RC Strasbourg)

Victor Nelsson (Hellas Verona)

Victor Bak (FC Midtjylland)

Alexander Bah (Benfica)

Joakim Maehle (VfL Wolfsburg)

Midfielders:

Nikolas Nartey (Olympique Lyonnais)

Christian Norgaard (Arsenal)

Victor Froholdt (FC Porto)

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Olympique de Marseille)

Morten Hjulmand (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)

Philip Billing (FC Midtjylland)

Noah Nartey (VfB Stuttgart)

Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford)

Christian Eriksen (VfL Wolfsburg)

Forwards:

Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC)

Gustav Isaksen (Lazio)

Jesper Lindstrom (VfL Wolfsburg)

William Osula (Newcastle)

Kasper Hogh (Bodo/Glimt)

Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli)

Upcoming Fixtures:

March 26: Denmark vs North Macedonia, Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark

November 18, 2025: Scotland 4-2 Denmark, Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland

November 11, 2025: Denmark 2-2 Belarus, Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark

October 12, 2025: Denmark 3-1 Greece, Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark

October 9, 2025: Belarus 0-6 Denmark, ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary

September 8, 2025: Greece 0-3 Denmark, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece

September 5, 2025: Denmark 0-0 Scotland, Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark

Brian Riemer is widely recognised for his previous role as assistant coach to Thomas Frank at Brentford from 2018 to 2022.

During their tenure, the duo guided Brentford to Premier League promotion in the 2020/21 season — marking the club’s first return to England’s top flight since 1946.

Riemer later took charge of Anderlecht for the 2022/23 campaign, leading them to an 11th-place finish before narrowly missing out on the league title the following season.

He was relieved of his duties at Anderlecht in September 2024 and was appointed as Denmark’s national team manager a month later.

Forward Rasmus Hojlund, who left Manchester United on loan, has rediscovered his form in Italy with Napoli. The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in Serie A this season, helping Napoli secure third place in the table.

Hojlund also impressed in World Cup qualifying, contributing to six goals — five scored and one assisted — and is expected to play a key role in Denmark’s play-off campaign.

— Mark White, Content Editor