Portugal will qualify if they beat the Republic of Ireland
Portugal will punch their ticket to the 2026 World Cup if they beat the Republic of Ireland in their penultimate Group F fixture at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.
The Boys in Green are out for revenge after they suffered a slender 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture held in Lisbon last month, courtesy of a 91st-minute goal from Ruben Neves.
Since winning an unprecedented second UEFA Nations League title in June, Portugal have picked up 10 points across four World Cup qualifiers and they currently sit top of Group K, five points clear of their nearest challengers Hungary.
After scoring nine goals across victories in their first three matches, Portugal’s perfect record in qualifying came to an end last month when they were forced to settle for a 2-2 home draw with Hungary.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the draw with Hungary to become the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying (41) and extend his record international goal tally to 143 in 235 appearances. The 40-year-old Al-Nassr striker is determined to fire his country to what will be his final international tournament before he decides to hang up his boots.
Portugal, who have never won a World Cup, are bidding to qualify for the Finals for the seventh time in a row. A win for Roberto Martinez’s men against Ireland will secure their spot a next summer’s tournament, but they could still qualify with a draw or a defeat if Hungary fail to beat Armenia.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
France host Ukraine at Parc des Princes
Looking to book their spot in North America for next summer, France host Ukraine in a World Cup 2026 qualifier at Parc des Princes on Thursday night.
Les Bleus are aiming to return to winning ways following their dropping of points last month, whilst Zbirna are on a mission to upset the perceived hierarchy at the top of the section.
Since the pulsating 5-4 defeat to European champions Spain in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in early June, France have enjoyed a five-game unbeaten streak (W4 D1) across all competitions, allowing them to pick up third spot in the aforementioned tournament and put themselves on the brink of World Cup qualification.
However, Les Bleus were unable to make it five wins on the spin at the end of October’s international break.
Despite the dropping of two points at Laugardalsvollur last time out, Didier Deschamps‘s troops remain in a commanding position as they sit top of Group D, with a victory on Thursday enough to guarantee first place and a spot in North America next June.
The 2022 World Cup finalists will be supremely confident of getting the job done at the first attempt during this international break in the upcoming clash at Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes, with Les Bleus unbeaten across their last five home matches (W4 D1).
The unavailability of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni has allowed a route for N’Golo Kante back into the international scene, with the 2018 World Cup winner impressing out in Saudi Arabia recently.
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England in final home match against Serbia
Already America bound, England‘s final home match of the World Cup 2026 Qualifying process takes place on Thursday, when the Three Lions welcome Serbia to Wembley.
Nothing can knock Thomas Tuchel‘s men off top spot in Group K, but the Eagles are still vying for a precious second-placed finish under new management.
The absolute bare minimum is now complete for Tuchel, who could have rivalled the likes of Steve McClaren and Sam Allardyce for the most disastrous reign as England head coach had he failed to lead the 1966 World Cup winners to the 2026 edition of the tournament.
However, England have already qualified for the next global gathering with two matches to spare thanks to a flawless record in Group K, where they have claimed 18 points from a possible 18, while coincidentally also scoring 18 goals and shipping a grand total of zero.
The Three Lions confirmed their spot at the 48-team World Cup last month in a 5-0 battering of a beleaguered Latvia, thus opening up a seven-point lead over second-placed Albania, who will
The Three Lions enter Thursday’s game seeking a third consecutive win by five goals or more in competitive football, as well as a fifth clean sheet on the spin in all tournaments after their straightforward friendly beating of Wales in October too.
With a new face at the helm and likely also a new system – one that poses more attacking promise than their previous shape – a Serbia side needing to go all-out for victory should pose a threat to the England backline.
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Norway within touching distance of World Cup as they host Estonia
Within touching distance of their first World Cup for 28 years, Norway could confirm a cherished spot at next summer’s finals by beating Estonia on Thursday.
The Group I leaders have picked up maximum points so far, and only a miraculous Italian comeback can stop them hanging onto top spot.
With at least a playoff place wrapped up for some time now, Norway will qualify directly for World Cup 2026 if they better Italy’s result in midweek; otherwise, they will have to finish the job in Milan this weekend.
Having kicked off with a stunning 3-0 defeat of the Azzurri back in June, Stale Solbakken‘s side have accrued 18 points from six games so far, while finding the net freely.
Erling Haaland alone has already struck 12 times throughout the campaign, and Norway just need to score five more to record the best European qualifying tally this century.
Only last month’s friendly draw with New Zealand halted the Landslaget’s streak of nine straight wins across all competitions, which included an 11-1 victory over Moldova and a 5-0 thumping of Israel.
So, it is no wonder that Solbakken’s side are poised to end almost three decades of Norwegian hurt by qualifying for a first World Cup since 1998.
Already eliminated from contention, Estonia cannot finish in the top two – or even third – and Thursday’s fixture will be their last in Group I.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Group D
Group F
Republic of Ireland 19:45 Portugal
Group I
Group K
