European Qualifying: Which Nations Can Seal 2026 World Cup Spots This Week

‎The penultimate round of European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup unfolds Thursday through Saturday.

‎Here, Sportxparte analyzes which teams can secure a spot in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with a match to spare.

‎Group A

‎(Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg)

‎No teams can clinch qualification in the upcoming round. Luxembourg has already been eliminated from contention for the top two spots, which would secure direct qualification (for first place) or a playoff spot (for second place).

‎Group B

‎(Switzerland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Sweden)

‎Switzerland can secure a sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance with a win over Sweden on Saturday, provided Kosovo does not defeat Slovenia. A draw would also see the Swiss through if Kosovo loses.

‎Group C

‎(Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Belarus)

‎No team can qualify for the next round of fixtures. Denmark and Scotland are already confirmed as the top two.

‎Group D

‎(France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan)

‎Two-time World Cup winners France will qualify for the 2026 finals with victory over Ukraine on Thursday.

‎Group E

‎(Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria)

‎European champions Spain will secure qualification with a win over Georgia on Saturday, provided Turkey does not beat Bulgaria, who have already been eliminated.

‎A draw would also seal top spot for Spain if Turkey suffers a shock defeat.

‎Group F

‎(Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, and Armenia)

‎Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will secure their ticket to the finals with a win over Ireland on Thursday, or with a draw if Hungary fails to beat Armenia.

‎Group G

‎(Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta)

‎The Netherlands will qualify with a win over Poland on Friday. Lithuania and Malta are already unable to finish in the top two.

‎Group H

‎(Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Cyprus, San Marino)

‎Austria will confirm first place if it beats Cyprus on Saturday and Bosnia and Herzegovina does not win against Romania.

‎Group I

‎(Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, Moldova)

‎Norway can reach its first World Cup since 1998 with a win over Estonia if Italy does not beat Moldova on Thursday. A victory against Estonia would almost guarantee Norway’s qualification, given their far superior goal difference to four-time champions Italy.

‎Group J

‎(Belgium, North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein)

‎Belgium will qualify if it wins in Kazakhstan on Saturday, leaving North Macedonia and Wales to fight for second place.

‎Group K

‎(England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Andorra)

‎England has already qualified.

‎Albania can secure a play-off place if it beats Andorra and Serbia loses to England.

‎Group L

‎(Croatia, Czech Republic, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Gibraltar)

‎Croatia will clinch top spot if the 2018 finalists avoid an upset at home against the Faroe Islands on Friday. A loss would drop the Faroes out of the top-two contention.