Kasper Schmeichel Withdraws from Denmark's World Cup Playoffs

Kasper Schmeichel out of World Cup qualifier

Denmark's veteran goalkeeper Schmeichel to miss crucial World Cup matches. Kasper Schmeichel withdraws from Denmark's World Cup playoffs due to unavailability.

Schmeichel's absence leaves Denmark searching for World Cup playoff goalkeeper...

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has withdrawn from Denmark's crucial World Cup playoff matches, citing unavailability. This means Denmark will be without Schmeichel, a key player, for the first time since 2018.

Schmeichel, who's been struggling with illness and injury, won't be part of coach Brian Riemer's squad for the March playoffs. His absence will be a big blow to Denmark's World Cup hopes.

“A year ago, I broke my shoulder against Portugal, but stayed on the field and played on because we didn't have any more substitutions. It has caused a lot of after-effects, which have been hard to live with – and play with. But in the last few months, my shoulder has taken a turn for the worse, and it has really caused problems for me. When we played the Europa League against Stuttgart a few weeks ago, I landed on the wrong shoulder for their first goal and smashed something again.”

"I have done everything I could to get ready ever since. I have had various treatments, injections, and blockades, and unfortunately, that hasn't made it any better. On the contrary, a nerve was hit during an injection, and that also made me sick,” says Schmeichel to TV2 Sport.

Kasper Schmeichel, a veteran with 120 international caps, was on the bench for Denmark's friendly against Northern Ireland last June. He'll be missing the World Cup playoffs, ending a streak of major tournament appearances.

Filip Jorgensen (Chelsea) and Mads Hermansen (West Ham) are likely to replace Schmeichel, with Jorgensen having made his debut in the Northern Ireland friendly.

Denmark's World Cup playoff journey continues on March 26 against North Macedonia in Copenhagen. If they win, they'll face the winner of Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland in the playoff final for a World Cup ticket.