Denmark are going to have to get past North Macedonia in the UEFA World Cup play-off semi-final without Fulham centre back Joachim Andersen. The 29-year-old is suspended due to picking up too many yellow cards in qualifying and now must watch on nervously on Thursday night.
This is an international break unlike any other, with jeopardy at every turn.
Players are playing for their places in friendlies across the globe as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
But even more important than that, nations are fighting for their places in the USA, Mexico and Canada as the UEFA World Cup play-offs take place.
On Thursday night, we see the semi-finals, where 16 teams battle it out for four spots.
Harry Wilson’s Wales host Bosnia and Herzegovina in Path A, with a match against either Northern Ireland or four-time winners Italy awaiting them in the final should they win.
Path B sees Ukraine face Sweden and Poland play Albania, with Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo in a fight for the Path C spot.
Path D has Czechia hosting the Republic of Ireland and then Denmark welcoming North Macedonia.
But the Danes, who were in pole position to qualify outright for the World Cup before a capitulation in the final two matches saw Scotland take the spot after a dramatic win in Glasgow, are without a very key man.
That man is Joachim Andersen, with the Fulham centre back suspended after picking up too many bookings.
It is a body blow for Denmark, not least because they are also without Andersen’s long-term international partner in Andreas Christensen who is injured.
There are also further injuries to key defensive members, with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel out for at least 10 months, requiring shoulder reconstruction, and Patrick Dorgu also still out injured after sustaining a knock on Manchester United duty.
That is going to leave Denmark short at the back and the Fulham star will be nervously watching from the sideline to see if he can help his country in the final.
Andersen has been a key performer for Fulham since joining the club permanently from Crystal Palace last season.
He has formed an excellent defensive partnership with Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey, who is due to be involved for his country against Iran on Friday in Jordan.
It looks as though Andersen is going to be deputised for the evening by Galatasaray’s Victor Nelsson and Lazio’s 22-year-old Oliver Nielsen, so at least Denmark can call up top-level reinforcements.
West Ham’s Mads Hermansen is likely to take the responsibility in goal for Denmark in place of Schmeichel.
North Macedonia has a history of knocking out superior opposition, having done so in the 2022 World Cup play-offs when defeating Italy at the semi-final stages.
Andersen, and the entirety of Denmark, will be watching on and hoping history does not repeat itself.