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Denmark’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has plunged the national team into a period of transition, ending a decade-long run of appearances at major tournaments and raising questions over the ​direction of its ageing squad, Reuters reported. 

Denmark’s qualification hopes ended on Tuesday when they lost 3-1 on penalties to the Czech Republic in Prague after a 2-2 draw in the playoff final.

The setback followed a run of damaging results, including a 2-2 home draw with Belarus and a late 4-2 defeat by Scotland that handed the Scots automatic qualification, according to Reuters. 

Reigning champions Arsenal booked their spot in the Women's Champions League semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea, despite a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in Wednesday's quarter-final ​second leg, Reuters reported. 

Knowing they had to chase the game, Chelsea, who had manager Sonia Bompastor ‌sent off late on, started at a furious pace. Yet Arsenal soon knocked them out of their rhythm, and the home side didn't manage a single shot on target in the first half as the visitors took their time over ​every dead ball.

Arsenal grew into the game in the second half, but all the drama ​happened late on as Chelsea threw everything forward in an effort to get back ⁠in the tie, according to Reuters. 

Iraq have ended a 40-year wait for an appearance at the FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in the second final of the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico, making them the 48th team to qualify for the tournament, Reuters reported. 

Goals from Ali al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein helped the Lions of Mesopotamia edge past the South American nation at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on Tuesday.

Al-Hamadi’s opener in the 10th minute gave Iraq the perfect start, but Moises Paniagua drew the Greens level 28 minutes later in a closely-contested match in one of the cohost nations of the World Cup, according to Reuters. 

Turkey celebrated their return to the World Cup on Wednesday after ending a 24-year wait, with players and fans voicing pride and cautious ambition following their playoff victory over Kosovo, Reuters reported. 

Fans took to the streets across the country late on Tuesday, waving flags from cars and gathering on main avenues as Turkey secured qualification for only the third time in their history, reviving memories of their run to the semi-finals in 2002.

Captain Hakan Calhanoglu, speaking after arriving in Istanbul with his team after their 1-0 win in Kosovo, said the immediate focus would be on progressing from the group stage.