The start was ideal, and the national team aims to continue in the same way against Denmark, which they host on September 8 at 21:45 at “G. Karaiskakis” Stadium for the 2nd matchday of Group C in the 2026 World Cup qualifying stage.

Greece triumphed over Belarus 5-1 on Friday, while at the same time Denmark and Scotland drew 0-0 in their match at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium.

Ivan Jovanović’s team sits at the top of the group, and a win against Denmark would greatly strengthen their position ahead of the next match, which is an away game against Scotland on October 9.

Greece delivered an outstanding performance in their opening match, leading 4-0 at halftime and scoring a fifth goal shortly after the first hour, while missing many opportunities for an astronomical score.

The Greek team failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, but now they will “test” their chances for first place in Group C against Denmark, who could prove to be their toughest opponent.

Greece has won three and lost eight of their previous 15 matches against Denmark, with the score being 1-1 the last time the two teams met in a friendly in February 2009.

One Change in the Lineup

The Greek national team is preparing to face Denmark in the 2nd matchday of the World Cup qualifiers, with Ivan Jovanović making just one change compared to the previous game against Belarus.

Giannis Konstantelias returns to the starting XI, taking the place of Tasos Bakasetas, while the Serbian coach keeps the trusted 4-2-3-1 system.

Goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis will defend the net, with center-back duo Mavropanos and Koulierakis. On the flanks, Vagiannidis will play right-back and Tsimikas left-back. In midfield, Kourbelis and Zafeiris will anchor the center, with Karetsas and Tzolis on the two sides of the attacking midfield line. Konstantelias will act as the playmaker behind Vangelis Pavlidis, who starts at the top of the attack.

Greece’s lineup: Tzolakis – Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas – Kourbelis, Zafeiris – Karetsas, Konstantelias, Tzolis – Pavlidis.

Bench: Vlachodimos, Mandas, Retsos, Masouras, Ioannidis, Pelkas, Bakasetas, Rota, Chatzidiakos, Mantalos, Kyriakopoulos, Siopis.

Denmark

Denmark, coached by Brian Riemer, won two friendly matches in June against Northern Ireland and Lithuania but lost 5-2 to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals in March.

The “Red and Whites” were eliminated in the group stage of the last World Cup in Qatar but reached the Round of 16 in Euro 2024, despite failing to win any match in the tournament.

Denmark’s last win against Greece was 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Brian Riemer has selected his chosen starting XI for the match, lining up the team in a 4-3-3 system. The 19-year-old Froholdt starts in central midfield for Denmark, while Dolberg, who started alongside Bjerre in the attack against Scotland, is on the bench.

Denmark’s lineup: Schmeichel, R. Christensen, Andersen, A. Christensen, Mele, Højbjerg, Humland, Froholdt, Olsen, Damsgaard, Bjerre.

The referee for the match is Lithuanian Donatas Rumšas, familiar with Greek teams and the national team, having officiated their games before.