Denmark Defensive Crisis Hits Ahead of World Cup Qualifying Play-Offs

Denmark in Defensive Meltdown, key stars out for World Cup play-offs nightmare

Injuries to several key defenders leave Denmark vulnerable as they prepare for decisive World Cup play-off matches. Brian Riemer announces squad amid growing concern.

Denmark faces a huge defensive crisis with multiple injuries ahead of crucial World Cup play-offs...

Denmark is facing a major defensive crisis as they approach the crucial World Cup qualifying play-offs. When head coach Brian Riemer named the squad for the late-March fixtures on Tuesday, he had every reason to be concerned. The team is severely hampered by injuries to several key defenders, which threatens to derail Denmark's hopes of securing a spot in their seventh FIFA World Cup finals.

Danish fans and media are deeply frustrated and on the verge of despair after the national team missed out on automatic qualification for next year's FIFA World Cup. Disappointing results against Belarus and Scotland late last year left them in this position, and now an even tougher challenge looms in the play-offs.

Jannik Vestergaard has been absent with an injury, manager Steve Cooper has said, after the centre-back’s omission from the squad at Walsall.

‘Jannik’s been injured a little while. He’s done his ankle. He might be back on the grass later this week.’ pic.twitter.com/s9KDYpjCkA

— Leicester Xtra (@XtraLeicester) September 25, 2024

After humiliating Greece on away turf and looking solid throughout the campaign, Brian Riemer's outfit looked firmly in control of their own destiny, but somehow lost all their composure against Belarus and were barely able to scrape a 2-2 draw in a game where they just needed to win to secure their ticket for the finals in June. 

FC Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen will miss Denmark's upcoming WCQ play-off matches due to injury | Credit: ČTK / imago 

Denmark's hopes of direct qualification were dashed in heartbreaking fashion. Leading into the final minutes against Scotland, they needed a point to secure a spot in the US, Canada, and Mexico tournament. But Scotland snatched it away with two stunning stoppage-time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, sending Denmark into the play-offs

Should they fail to win qualifying play-offs, the summer will turn into a horror scenario because the Danes will have to spend the summer on the couch watching Scandinavian rivals Norway and, potentially, also Sweden participate in the finals, while the Danes were just two minutes away from reaching a an all-important draw against Scotland in Glasgow. 

Lazio youngster Oliver Provstgaard could get surprise shot with Denmark | Credit: SOPA Images / Sipa USA / Profimedia

And judging from the 25-man squad which Brian Riemer announced on Tuesday for the crucial World Cup qualifying play-offs, there could be more trouble ahead for Riemer's heavily criticised team.

Denmark's squad has a ton of youngsters, with eight players potentially making their debuts, including Mads Hermansen, Andreas Jungdal, and William Osula. Lack of experience could be a major issue for Riemer's team, especially in high-pressure play-off games.

Denmark's injury woes are piling up - key players like Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas Christensen, and Joachim Andersen (suspended) are out, with Joakim Maehle and Jannik Vestergaard also doubtful after surgery 

Denmark's goalkeeper troubles are real - Kasper Schmeichel's out with a shoulder injury from last year's Nations League, and Chelsea's Filip Jorgensen has a groin injury from the PSG match. Riemer's got some tough decisions to make.

Fulham's Joachim Andersen out (suspended) against North Macedonia | Credit: Manjit Narotra/ProSports / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Denmark's defense is crippled by injuries - Andreas Christensen's ACL tear, Patrick Dorgu's severe hamstring injury, and Rasmus Nissen Kristensen's ankle surgery are huge blows. Riemer's team is really feeling the pinch now.

Denmark's struggles continue - Joakim Maehle and Jannik Vestergaard are still finding their feet after long injuries, and Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard picked up a knock against Wolves. Riemer's squad is getting battered.

Despite the bleak prospects, Brian Riemer remains positive about the Danish chances in the play-offs. “We have plenty of great players at our disposal, so the fact that we are missing some defensive players in particular during this time is not an excuse if things don't work out for us,” said Riemer at the press conference on Tuesday.

“Among some of those players, we have Oliver Provstgaard, who performs regularly for a gigantic Italian club, Lazio. They won over AC Milan, who are number two in the Serie A, 1-0 at the weekend and kept a clean sheet, and he has also played more or less continuously for a long period.”

“We have players like Joachim Andersen, who is suspended against North Macedonia but will be available if we make it to the play-off final, and we must also remember Verona's Victor Nelsson, who has been in these scenarios many times before and plays every single week in Serie A. And I could go on,” says Brian Riemer to dr.dk and adds that he has been told by Wolfsburg that Joakim Maehle has reached full fitness and could play two times 90 minutes in a short amount of time.

Kasper Schmeichel has tonight confirmed he needs surgery and faces a 10-12 month injury lay off. It almost certainly ends his Celtic career but the injury could mean his retirement from the game. pic.twitter.com/yqhenPwNeC

— Craig (@CraigCelt) March 17, 2026

Denmark's got a tough task ahead - hosting North Macedonia at Parken Stadium on Thursday, March 26. Win, and they're off to the final against Czechia or Republic of Ireland for a World Cup spot.

Denmark's got some experience on the big stage, qualifying for six World Cups, including 2018 and 2022. Their best run was that 1998 quarter-final appearance in France, where they fell to Brazil.

Can Brian Riemer’s side overcome the injury blow and reach the finals?