Europe's Elite Nations Push for 2026 World Cup Spots
The race for the 2026 World Cup intensifies as Europe's football powerhouses battle to secure their places in the expanded 48-team tournament. With qualifying resuming Thursday, several traditional giants face unexpected challenges while emerging talents shine on the international stage.
Spain Maintains Perfect Record Despite Tough Tests Ahead
Spain enters the final stretch with an immaculate record of four wins, 15 goals scored, and zero conceded. However, tricky fixtures await, including a Saturday clash in Georgia followed by hosting Turkey three days later.
The spotlight falls on Lamine Yamal, whose international journey began in Tbilisi where Spain's youngest-ever player first donned the national jersey at 16. The Barcelona star has since featured in 23 games for Spain, including crucial performances during their Euro 2024 triumph.
Turkey, fresh from their Euro 2024 quarterfinal run, must first overcome Bulgaria before potentially pressuring Spain in their final group encounter in Seville. The mathematical challenge appears daunting after Spain's commanding 6-0 victory in Turkey during September.
France Seeks Early Qualification on Solemn Anniversary
The 2018 World Cup champions can secure advancement with a victory over Ukraine at Parc des Princes on Thursday. The match coincides with the tenth anniversary of the devastating Paris terrorist attacks, including those at Stade de France during a France-Germany fixture.
Kylian Mbappe and his teammates need just two points from their remaining fixtures, with Azerbaijan awaiting on Sunday to complete their four-team group campaign.
Ronaldo Eyes Historic Sixth World Cup Appearance
Portugal requires merely two points from encounters with Ireland and Armenia to guarantee qualification. Success would send Cristiano Ronaldo, who turns 41 in February, to his sixth World Cup, breaking the record he currently shares with Lionel Messi and surpassing Lothar Matthäus.
Haaland Powers Norway's Return After 26-Year Absence
Norway last graced a men's World Cup in 1998, two years before Erling Haaland's birth. The Manchester City striker has netted 12 of Norway's European-leading 29 goals in their Group I campaign.
A Thursday victory against Estonia in Oslo should effectively secure qualification, with Norway enjoying a superior goal difference of 16 over Italy before their crucial San Siro encounter on Sunday.
Germany Faces Potential Playoff Route
Despite their traditional dominance, Germany risks missing direct qualification as group winners. After recovering from an opening 2-0 defeat to Slovakia, the Germans face a potential decisive Monday showdown in Leipzig.
Germany seeks to maintain FIFA's top-10 ranking and secure favorable seeding for December's tournament draw in Washington, DC.
Playoff Structure Offers Second Chances
The expanded tournament format allocates 16 European places, up from 13 in Qatar 2022. The final four spots will be determined through March playoffs featuring 12 group runners-up and four top-ranked Nations League group winners who underperformed in World Cup qualifying.
Four brackets of four teams each will contest single-game semifinals and finals from March 26-31, with the lineup confirmed after next Tuesday's matches and seeding determined by FIFA's updated rankings.
Even traditionally powerful Italy, currently ranked ninth globally, faces potential playoff placement in the lowest-seeded pot should they fail to secure direct qualification.
The stakes remain high as Europe's football elite navigate the final qualifying hurdles toward the United States, Canada, and Mexico's co-hosted spectacle.