Slovenia travel to Skopje without Jaka Bijol, eyeing victory

Slovenia will travel to Skopje aiming for three points, but the visitors will be without their central defender Jaka Bijol for the match scheduled on Monday, 16 November 2026.

The decision follows Slovenia's 0:0 draw at home with Switzerland, a result that left the Slovenians second in the group standings while Switzerland secured first place and promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League.

Key absences weaken the Slovene spine

Bijol, who plays for Leeds, is suspended for the clash due to accumulated yellow cards and therefore cannot be included in the squad for the fixture against North Macedonia. Slovenia was already missing its leading forward Benjamin Šeško, who remains sidelined with an injury.

The arithmetic is clear: a win in Skopje would keep Slovenia behind Switzerland but ahead of Scotland in the table and preserve its chance to contest a play-off for a place among the elite teams. The visitors travel with a single objective—to take the victory.

North Macedonia go into the match with little to lose and will look to at least secure a first point in the group on home soil. It remains to be seen whether the hosts can exploit Slovenia's absences and frustrate their visitors on 16 November 2026.

Photo: press material from the event