Spain kick off their World Cup campaign against Bulgaria
European champions Spain will kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in Thursday’s away clash against Bulgaria in Sofia.
The two nations are competing in Group E alongside Turkey and George, with the winner securing automatic qualification and second-place sealing a spot in the qualifying playoffs.
Spain are set to return to action for the first time since falling short in their bid to claim back-to-back Nations League titles.
Spain will now be fully focused on the road to the 2026 World Cup, and they will be hoping that Thursday’s fixture is the start of their journey to lifting the coveted trophy for the second time.
Luis de la Fuente‘s side are already guaranteed a playoff spot following their Nations League performance, but they will expect to secure automatic qualification for a 13th consecutive World Cup appearance.
Spain have proven to be a formidable force on their travels under De La Fuente, having gone over two years since suffering their last away defeat in a European Championship qualifier against Scotland in March 2023.
Lamine Yamal will be looking to carry his club form into the international window after netting two goals and providing three assists in Barcelona’s opening three league games.
Yamal’s Barcelona teammate, Ferran Torres, could miss out to Mikel Oyarzabal for a starting spot, but the former Manchester City forward will hope to get on the pitch at some stage to make his 50th international appearance.
Spain have world-class talent in every area of the pitch, and with that in mind, we can only see one winner in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Germany travel away to face Slovakia in Group A
Germany begin their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a trip to Tehelne Pole in Bratislava to face Slovakia on Thursday evening.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side and Francesco Calzona’s men are joined in Group A by Northern Ireland and Luxembourg.
Germany are preparing for their first international fixture since falling short in the UEFA Nations League held on home soil in June, with a 2-1 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Portugal.
Ranked ninth in world by FIFA, Die Mannschaft have won just 12 games out of 23 games (D6 L5) in all competitions (including friendlies) since the arrival of head coach Nagelsmann in September 2023, and improvements in defence will be one of the 38-year-old’s top priorities.
Indeed, Germany have kept only five clean sheets across their last 16 internationals and have conceded at least two goals in all four of their matches in 2025, a record that the four-time world champions will need to change if they wish to make waves on the global stage in the near future.
Germany will be regarded as firm favourites to progress from Group A in World Cup qualifying; they are already assured of at least a playoff spot based on their Nations League ranking, but finishing top of their group would secure automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament held in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Die Mannschaft head into Thursday’s opening contest having won each of their last seven World Cup qualifiers, as well as three of their last five meetings with Slovakia, including their last visit to Bratislava back in October 2006 when they won a European Championship qualifier by a 4-1 scoreline.
Germany should ultimately have enough quality in their side to outscore their opponents en route to claiming maximum points.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Netherlands and Poland reunite in Rotterdam
De Kuip plays host to a clash of the Group G titans on Thursday night, as the Netherlands and Poland reunite in Rotterdam in UEFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying.
Both nations boast six points so far, although the unblemished Dutch have a game in hand over the Eagles, who are playing their first match under new management.
A pair of games, a pair of wins, 10 goals scored and zero conceded represents the perfect start to the preliminary cycle for Oranje, who sit one point behind leaders Finland but have two matches in hand, and June’s successes were just what the doctor ordered for the hitherto inconsistent hosts.
Two victories from their last two matches is as many as the Netherlands had achieved in their previous nine games in all tournaments, as Oranje laboured to a UEFA Nations League quarter-final before being slain by Spain on penalties, but they have to go back to March 2021 for the last time they suffered defeat in World Cup qualification.
In contrast, Poland need only travel back to June for their last reverse in a preliminary World Cup period, as the Eagles’ perfect start came to a disheartening end away to current group leaders Finland.
New manager bounce and all that, but Urban’s reign as Poland head coach is surely destined to end in defeat against a goal-happy Netherlands side.
It has been said before, but Oranje could have the look of World Cup dark horses come 2026, and the hosts should maintain their 100% record with ease here.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Liechtenstein and Belgium clash in Group J
Belgium will continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign when they travel to Vaduz for Thursday’s meeting with Liechtenstein.
The Red Devils have taken four points from their first two qualifiers, while the hosts are still searching for their first point following three consecutive defeats.
Liechtenstein will know that qualifying for their first major tournament is an unrealistic objective, considering they are placed 204th in the FIFA World Rankings.
However, they will still be targeting an improvement in results in their final five qualifiers after starting the campaign with three consecutive defeats without scoring.
Meanwhile, Rudi Garcia is preparing to take charge of his fifth game as Belgium boss after taking over the reins prior to March’s Nations League relegation playoff against Ukraine.
Belgium are currently sitting in third position in Group J, with three points separating them from second-placed Wales and four points keeping them from leaders North Macedonia.
Even without Lukaku, Belgium have enough firepower in their squad to make it a difficult evening for Liechtenstein, and considering the gulf in quality between the two sides, we think the Red Devils will cruise to their second victory of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Fixtures
Group B
Slovenia 19:45 Sweden
Switzerland 19:45 Kosovo
Group C
Denmark 19:45 Scotland
Greece 19:45 Belarus
Group D
Iceland 19:45 Azerbaijan
Ukraine 19:45 France
Group I
Italy 19:45 Estonia
Moldova 19:45 Israel
Group L
Faroe Islands 19:45 Croatia
Montenegro 19:45 Czech Republic
