The Parken Stadium in Copenhagen is set to be the stage for a hugely significant 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification fixture in Group C, pitting joint-group leaders Denmark against the already-eliminated Belarus. For the Danish Dynamite, this penultimate match is a pivotal step toward securing their third consecutive World Cup finals appearance, a feat they have never before achieved in their history.
Denmark, coached by Brian Riemer, is currently locked level on 10 points with Scotland at the summit of Group C. Critically, the Danes hold a vastly superior goal difference (currently +11 to Scotland’s +5), a tiebreaker advantage that dictates the entire strategy for this match. A victory for Denmark will ensure they head into their final group game against Scotland needing only a draw at Hampden Park to clinch automatic qualification. Given the high stakes of that final clash, Denmark will be intensely motivated to win this game emphatically to ensure their position remains unassailable.
Belarus, under Carlos Alos, faces an entirely different set of circumstances. Having lost all four of their qualifiers and being one of only a few European nations yet to pick up a single point, their hopes of reaching the World Cup are over. Compounding their woes, Belarus has been forced to play all their home qualifiers at neutral venues and behind closed doors due to UEFA sanctions, which has further hampered their campaign. Their primary objective in Copenhagen will be to restore some national pride by putting up a resilient defensive performance, especially after the crushing 6-0 defeat they suffered to Denmark in the reverse fixture last month.
The Tactical Imperative: Danish Goal Glut vs. Belarusian Defiance
Denmark: Conserving Energy and Capitalising Early
Denmark's tactical plan will be direct and aggressive: secure an early lead and then manage the game to score as many goals as possible without expending too much energy ahead of the final showdown against Scotland. Their formidable home record, having won 14 of their last 17 matches in Copenhagen since the last World Cup, provides immense confidence.
The attack will be spearheaded by striker Rasmus Højlund, who has been in clinical form for the national team, netting a team-high four goals across his last three qualifiers, including a brace in the 6-0 demolition of Belarus. Supporting him will be the experience and creativity of captain Christian Eriksen (who has 146 caps) and the attacking threat of Mikkel Damsgaard, who has been integral to their goal-scoring success. Key midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will anchor the midfield, providing both stability and passing precision. Despite the absence of injured players like Joakim Maehle and Yussuf Poulsen, the depth of the Danish squad is expected to manage the load.
Belarus: The Uphill Battle for Respectability
For Belarus, avoiding a heavy defeat will be the measure of success. Their campaign has been marked by poor defensive results, with 15 goals conceded in four games. The team's recent preparations were also severely disrupted by a 12-hour delay at the Polish border, adding logistical hurdles to their already challenging circumstances.
Coach Alos will set up his side to defend deep and maintain a disciplined, compact shape, aiming to frustrate the wave after wave of Danish attacks. They have failed to score against Denmark in all three previous meetings, highlighting the massive challenge their forward line faces. Veteran forward Vitaly Lisakovich will likely lead the line, hoping to create a rare chance from a counter-attack or a set-piece. The key for the White Wings will be the performance of their goalkeeper, who is expected to have a very busy evening.
Head-to-Head History (H2H): A Dominant Danish Record
The historical record offers no encouragement for the visiting Belarusian side:
Denmark is unbeaten against Belarus in all competitive meetings (W2 D1).
The most recent encounter, a 6-0 rout for Denmark last month, was the first meeting of the 21st century and demonstrated the clear gulf in quality.
Belarus has never scored a goal against Denmark in their previous three encounters.
This overwhelming dominance, both historically and recently, sets the expectation for a clear-cut result in Copenhagen.
World Cup Qualification Scenarios and Conclusion
For Denmark, a victory is the absolute priority. A win in this match guarantees they will finish no worse than second place and, due to their impressive goal difference, secures that they will enter the final matchday against Scotland with the luxury of needing only a draw to top the group and earn direct qualification.
For Belarus, the match offers no qualification path, only the motivation to deliver a performance that avoids a fourth successive defeat by a margin of two or more goals.
Prediction: Given the high stakes for Denmark's automatic qualification hopes and the clear disparity in quality and form, coupled with the heavy 6-0 result in the reverse fixture, Denmark is overwhelmingly favored to win convincingly. The Danish Dynamite will look to be aggressive from the start, secure a comfortable lead, and conserve energy for their decisive final match against Scotland.
