Schmeichel Withdraws from Denmark World Cup Playoffs Over Injury

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has withdrawn from Denmark's World Cup playoff matches next month due to a persistent shoulder injury, marking the first time since 2018 that the 39-year-old veteran will miss international duty. The announcement came after Schmeichel informed national team coach Brian Riemer on Friday that he is not fit to play, sidelining him for the semifinal against North Macedonia at Parken Stadion on March 26. The winner of that tie will face either the Czech Republic or the Republic of Ireland for a spot in next summer's finals in North America.

Schmeichel's injury traces back to a shoulder break sustained during a match against Portugal a year ago, which he played through despite the pain due to exhausted substitutions. The issue worsened in mid-February when he landed awkwardly on the shoulder while conceding the first goal in Celtic's Europa League playoff defeat to VfB Stuttgart, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate exit. Subsequent treatments, including injections and blockades, failed to improve the condition and instead caused complications, such as a nerve being hit that led to illness. Specialists have advised a four-to-six-week rest period to allow...