World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Norway And Portugal Seal Spots As DR Congo Advance To Inter-Continental Playoffs

‎The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered another thrilling round of drama as Norway and Portugal emphatically booked their places, while giants Italy were condemned to yet another playoff run.

‎Norway returns to the World Cup after 28 Years

‎Norway completed a near-perfect qualifying campaign, securing their first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Italy in Rome.

‎The win confirmed their place as Group G winners with eight wins from eight matches, and also plunged Italy into yet another playoff battle marking their third straight World Cup qualifying campaign to reach the playoffs.

‎Italy, needing an unrealistic nine-goal margin to overtake Norway on goal difference, started brightly. Francesco Pio Esposito opened the scoring after 10 minutes, giving the home crowd a glimmer of hope.

‎But Norway’s transformation after halftime was emphatic. Antonio Nusa levelled in the 63rd minute, finishing coolly inside the box before the visitors took total control.

‎A defensive lapse allowed Erling Haaland to drift unmarked into the area in the 78th minute, and the Manchester City star made no mistake volleying home to put Norway ahead. Just one minute later, Haaland struck again, extending his incredible tally to 16 goals in the qualifying campaign.

‎Substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen added a fourth in stoppage time, confirming Norway’s dominance and signalling that they will be far from underdogs at next year’s finals.

‎Portugal Smashes Armenia to Reach World Cup

‎Portugal delivered one of the most ruthless performances of the entire European qualifying series, demolishing Armenia 9-1 in Porto to clinch top spot in Group F.

‎Despite entering the match under pressure following a 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland, where captain Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially sent off, Roberto Martínez’s men responded with style.

‎The night belonged to Bruno Fernandes and João Neves, both of whom recorded stunning hat-tricks.

‎Renato Veiga opened the scoring early, but Armenia equalised through Eduard Spertsyan in the 18th minute. That brief scare only spurred Portugal’s attack: Gonçalo Ramos restored the lead, and Neves netted twice before halftime (including a sensational free-kick).

‎Fernandes added a penalty in added time for a 5-1 lead at the break.

‎The onslaught continued in the second half as Fernandes completed his treble and Neves added his third with a composed finish late on. A long-range strike from Francisco Conceição sealed the 9-1 rout.

‎With 13 points, Portugal topped the group and secured Ronaldo the opportunity to appear in a historic sixth World Cup.

‎“It’s always the team before the individual,” Neves told RTP.

“I’m thrilled to score my first goals for Portugal and to share the pitch with such great players.”

‎Ireland and Ukraine Book Playoff Spots With Dramatic Wins

‎Ireland Strikes Late to Beat Hungary

‎Ireland snatched second place in Group F in extraordinary fashion, beating Hungary 3-2 thanks to a 96th-minute winner. The victory moved them to 10 points and secured a playoff berth an impressive achievement following their strong showing against Portugal days earlier.

‎Ukraine Overcame Iceland to Secure Runner-Up Position

‎In Group D, Ukraine needed a win to finish above Iceland, which held the better goal difference. They delivered when it mattered: Oleksandr Zubkov scored his first goal in three years in the 83rd minute, and Oleksii Hutsuliak added a stoppage-time strike.

‎France had already secured top spot, but Ukraine’s disciplined display ensured they joined the playoff lineup.

‎France Ends Campaign With a Win in Azerbaijan

‎With qualification secured, Didier Deschamps rotated his entire squad, but France still wrapped up Group D with a professional 3-1 win over Azerbaijan.

‎Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Maghnes Akliouche, and an own goal erased the early opener scored by Renat Dadashov. France finished with 16 points from six matches, underlining their consistency despite squad experiments.

‎DR Congo Beat Nigeria on Penalties to Reach the Inter-Confederation Playoffs

‎In Africa, the biggest drama unfolded in Rabat as the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 extra-time draw in the CAF playoff final.

‎Frank Onyeka fired Nigeria ahead in the third minute, but Meschack Elia equalised later on, sending the contest to extra time and then penalties.

‎The hero was substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu, brought on just one minute before the shootout. His two crucial saves set the stage for captain Chancel Mbemba, who calmly slotted home the decisive kick.

‎With the victory, DR Congo advances to March’s inter-confederation playoff, where six teams will compete for the remaining two spots at the expanded 48-team World Cup.