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world cup Qualifying is drawing to a close with a few final spots up for grabs before the tournament over the next two weeks in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
So far, 28 teams have booked their places in what is already a historic campaign for the three first-time qualifiers including Jordan, Uzbekistan. and Cape Verde Islands Through to the 48-team final.
Thomas Tuchel’s England Only European team to qualify So far – due to the defeats of Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra – but the other 11 group winners will be confirmed gradually in the coming days as the first round of qualifying finally comes to an end.
In the rest of the world, we have largely reached play-off time; And that’s before the remaining European play-offs and intercontinental play-offs in March.
The confusing thing is that those games will be later The World Cup draw is made on Friday 5 December,
Europe
eligible positions available:16
Teams already qualified: England
Along with England, the 11 other group winners (who get a direct pass to the World Cup) will be confirmed in the final two rounds of qualifying. The 12 group runners-up will then advance to the play-offs in March (where four more teams will qualify). This requires group-by-group analysis.
Group A
Germany They are in the driving seat after last month’s 1-0 win northern irelandWho are not out of the race yet. Germany is tied on points slovakiaWith nine, going into the final two rounds of games, Northern Ireland are on six points.
germany play first luxembourg There is also an easy chance to make up some goal difference – bottom of the group on zero points – while Slovakia hosts Northern Ireland, who need a win to keep their automatic hopes alive. Germany wrap up a match at home against Slovakia in Leipzig in what could be a group decider on Monday night.
group b
Switzerland but have a three-point lead KosovoAs well as the huge advantage in goal difference, which comes between from sweden Disappointing campaign so farSwitzerland hosted Sweden before traveling to Kosovo on the final day.
Sweden has Graham Potter flew by parachute And there is still a chance to reach the playoffs. But they have to win both the games, first against Switzerland and then at home Slovenia, While Kosovo needed to lose both of its own.
group c
It’s a very disappointing time for the Tartan Army as they aim for a first Men’s World Cup finish since the glory days of 1998. scotland Simple: avoid defeat against players who have already been eliminated in Piraeus Greece and hit denmark The final day at Hampden and a place in the World Cup will be theirs.
Yet for Denmark the equation is even simpler. They have been flying since Scotland frustrated them in a 0-0 draw in Copenhagen, winning four in a row and scoring 12 goals, giving the Danes the advantage on goal difference. until they lose against belarusThey can proceed with a draw in Glasgow.
group d
France The player in second place has a lead of three points ukraine ahead of their meeting at the Parc des Princes on Thursday, so can seal their place with a win. Even if France loses, they can still win big AzerbaijanWhile Ukraine hosts one iceland A side who will be hoping to clinch a play-off spot.
group e
spain Looking pretty, with four wins, a three-point lead turkey And a huge advantage in goal difference. win against GeorgiaBarring a defeat at home against Turkey on the final day, that should be enough to qualify. If Türkiye lags behind, it will be confirmed bulgaria,
group f
portugal And Cristiano Ronaldo will qualify with a win republic of ireland in Dublin on Thursday, and even if the Irish spring a surprise, a home match against them is still insured armenia Last day. Hungary If they beat Armenia and Ireland lose then they can book a place in the play-offs ahead of Ireland.
group g
Netherlands but have a three-point lead polandWho they will face in a group decider on Friday night in Warsaw. The Netherlands’ goal difference is +19 compared to Poland’s +6, so Robert Lewandowski’s team is a must-win. Netherlands are at home lithuania Last day while visiting Poland malta,
group h
It can go down to the wire austria hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina Last day. Austria has a two-point lead before being eliminated CyprusWhile Bosnia and Herzegovina hosts the third romania, Who are not out of the race yet. Given Austria’s goal difference, Bosnia and Herzegovina must beat Romania to give themselves a chance before the trip to Vienna.
Group I Group I
There is no doubt that this is one of the groups to watch before the final round. last time norway Qualified for the Men’s World Cup in 1998, but led by Erling Haaland by three points. ItalyJoe has missed the last two World Cups and his absence from a tournament he has won four times is in danger of being extended.
To make it even more interesting, Italy will host Norway in Milan on Sunday in a potential group decider. But Norway has scored 29 goals in qualifying (Haaland alone has scored 12 goals), they have a big advantage in goal difference and will basically qualify with a win estonia On Thursday. go to Italy moldova Not just need to win but need to win by a ridiculous scoreline.
group j
belgium Took a big step towards qualifying with 4-2 win wales in Cardiff, and have a one-point advantage over second place north macedonia still two matches left kazakhstan And Liechtenstein – Both of whom are already outside.
Wales will be on course to beat Liechtenstein on Thursday and move level on points with North Macedonia, who they host on Tuesday night. This will probably decide who goes to the playoffs.
of the group
England Before playing the groups are as winners serbia At Wembley. Serbia needs results during the war albania For a play-off place. England travel to Albania as they host Serbia on final day latvia,
Group L
croatia Have a three-point advantage over second place czech republicAnd a lead of four points in third place Faroe IslandsWho are looking to secure a notable spot in the playoffs.
However, Croatia will advance with a home win over the Faroe Islands on Friday. Since the Czech Republic will host Gibraltar on the final day, the Faroe Islands need a win to keep their hopes alive.
of America
eligible positions available: six (including the three hosts United States, Canada and Mexico), plus two in the intercontinental play-off
Teams have already qualified:None through qualifying (USA, Canada and Mexico automatically as co-hosts)
The three group winners who qualify directly for the World Cup will be decided in these upcoming two rounds of qualifying matches, along with a trio of group runners-up, the best two of whom will advance to the intercontinental play-off.
Group A
It’s all to play for in Group A suriname lead panama, guatemala And El Salvador. Four teams go into the final two rounds with a difference of only three points, with Suriname and Panama leading on six points each, Guatemala on five and El Salvador on three points.
Suriname has never qualified for the World Cup and plays El Salvador and Guatemala in its final two games. Panama has similar fixtures, but in reverse. Guatemala and El Salvador are also attempting to qualify for the first time.
group b
It’s a big week for Steve McLaren Jamaicastill two matches left Trinidad and Tobago And then CuracaoThe Reggae Boyz are just two wins away from qualifying for the Jamaica Men’s World Cup for the first time since the 1998 edition. They are one point ahead of Curacao and three points ahead of Trinidad and Tobago bermuda Bottom of the group on zero points. If Jamaica loses to Trinidad and Tobago, it would open the door for all three teams to qualify on the final day.
group c
honduras have a two point lead costa rica There are still two games left. they play nicaragua before finishing the group at home against Costa Rica, which could decide the group.
Africa
eligible positions available: Nine, plus one in the intercontinental play-offs
Teams have already qualified: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast
The four best runners-up from the group stage compete in a play-off to determine who advances to the intercontinental play-off, i.e. a play-off for the play-offs.
on thursday, Nigeria game gabon And cameroon Take DR Congo In the semi-finals, the winner of each match will face the play-off final on Sunday.
Its winner advances to the intercontinental play-off in March.
Asia
eligible positions available: Eight, plus one in the intercontinental play-off
Teams qualified: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
united arab emirates will play Iraq In two stages to determine who will advance to the intercontinental qualifiers.
South America
eligible positions available: six, plus one in the intercontinental play-off
Teams qualified: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay
This was accomplished ages ago. World Cup champions Argentina became the first team to qualify, while Ecuador were a surprise runner-up. Brazil advanced despite finishing fifth, with Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay also advancing. boliviaThe seventh-place finish will enter the Intercontinental Play-Offs.
oceania
eligible positions available: one, plus one in the intercontinental play-off
Teams qualified: New Zealand
New Zealand has been the first beneficiary of the expanded tournament, as they have automatically qualified for the 2026 edition through the only spot available to Oceanic nations, rather than having to go through an intercontinental playoff as in previous editions. eligibility has already expired New Caledonia Made it to the Intercontinental Play-Offs.