Nordmazedonien

North Macedonia is a Balkan country that has recently been in the news for two primary reasons: migration policy and football. The country gained attention following reports in December 2025 suggesting that the UK was considering establishing "Return Hubs" there for rejected asylum seekers. This sparked significant political debate and public opposition within North Macedonia, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding migration issues. Furthermore, North Macedonia was mentioned in the context of Italy's failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Italy lost to North Macedonia in the 2022 qualification playoffs, contributing to Italy's third consecutive absence from the tournament. This result underscores North Macedonia's role as a spoiler in international football and its impact on the fortunes of larger footballing nations.