The penultimate round of European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with several nations on the brink of securing their spots for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Times Sports looks at the permutations across all 12 groups.
Group A (Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg)
No team can qualify in this round of fixtures. Luxembourg are already out of contention for the top two places, which provide either direct qualification or a playoff berth.
Group B (Switzerland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Sweden)
Switzerland will reach a sixth consecutive World Cup if they defeat struggling Sweden on Saturday and Kosovo fail to beat Slovenia. The Swiss can also qualify with a draw if Kosovo lose.
Group C (Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Belarus)
No side can qualify in this round. Denmark and Scotland are already confirmed as the top two, though their final positions remain undecided.
Group D (France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan)
Two-time world champions France will book their ticket to North America if they beat Ukraine on Thursday.
Group E (Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria)
European champions Spain will qualify with a win over Georgia on Saturday if Turkey fail to beat already-eliminated Bulgaria. Spain will also secure top spot with a draw should Turkey suffer an unexpected defeat.
Group F (Portugal, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia)
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will qualify with a victory over Ireland on Thursday, or with a draw if Hungary fail to overcome Armenia.
Group G (Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta)
The Netherlands will clinch qualification by beating Poland on Friday. Lithuania and Malta are already out of top-two contention.
Group H (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Cyprus, San Marino)
Austria will confirm first place with a win over Cyprus on Saturday if Bosnia and Herzegovina fail to defeat Romania.
Group I (Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, Moldova)
Norway will qualify for their first World Cup since 1998 if they beat Estonia and Italy do not win against Moldova on Thursday. Even with an Italian victory, Norway’s superior goal difference leaves them well positioned.
Group J (Belgium, North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein)
Belgium will qualify with a win in Kazakhstan on Saturday, leaving North Macedonia and Wales to battle for second place.
Group K (England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Andorra)
England have already secured qualification. Albania can seal a playoff spot by defeating Andorra if Serbia lose to England.
Group L (Croatia, Czech Republic, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Gibraltar)
Croatia, runners-up in 2018, will guarantee top spot if they avoid defeat at home to the Faroe Islands on Friday. The Faroes will be eliminated from the top-two race with a loss.
