Switzerland, France, Portugal and Netherlands among teams that can secure 2026 World Cup spots in upcoming European qualifiers
PARIS: The penultimate round of European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup unfolds across Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Several teams can secure their places at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico with one match remaining.
Switzerland will qualify for a sixth successive World Cup finals with victory over Sweden on Saturday if Kosovo fail to beat Slovenia.
The Swiss will also qualify with a draw if Kosovo lose.
Two-time World Cup winners France will qualify for the 2026 finals with victory over Ukraine on Thursday.
European champions Spain will qualify if they defeat Georgia on Saturday and Turkey fail to win against already-eliminated Bulgaria.
Spain will also wrap up top spot with a draw if Turkey suffer a shock defeat.
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will secure their ticket to the finals with a win over Ireland on Thursday.
Portugal can also qualify with a draw if Hungary fail to beat Armenia.
The Netherlands will qualify with a win over Poland on Friday.
Austria will confirm first place if they beat Cyprus on Saturday and Bosnia and Herzegovina do not win against Romania.
Norway will reach their first World Cup since 1998 with a win over Estonia if Italy do not beat Moldova on Thursday.
Belgium will qualify if they win in Kazakhstan on Saturday.
Croatia will seal top spot if they avoid a shock home defeat by the Faroe Islands on Friday.
England have already qualified from Group K.
Albania can secure a play-off place if they beat Andorra and Serbia lose to England.
Germany, Denmark and Scotland are among teams that cannot qualify in this round but remain in strong positions. – AFP
