2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Italy at a disadvantage, Germany threatened

Five more places to the 2026 World Cup finals have been determined when the qualifying round in September ended at dawn on September 10 (Vietnam time).

N A U Y AND A NH WIN BIG

Erling Haaland scored 5 goals alone, helping Norway beat Moldova 11-1 in the early morning match (September 10), which also ended the 6 consecutive matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September. Norway continues to lead Group I in the European region with 5 absolute wins, consolidating its advantage in the race with Italy (only the top team is guaranteed a place in the World Cup finals). Because this year European teams are ranked by goal difference in the case of a tie, the 10-goal difference is very important. Norway is currently far ahead of Italy in terms of additional index (+21 compared to +5). Even if they lose to Italy, Norway will still secure the top spot in the group if they beat Israel and Estonia in their next 2 matches (both at home).

Erling Haaland's (right) performance helps Norway leave Italy far behind in terms of secondary index.

PHOTO: REUTERS

England also just won 5-0 in Serbia to secure the top spot in Group K, with 5 absolute wins (and no goals conceded). The scorers were 5 different players: Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Marcus Rashford. After a lackluster start against weak opponents, such as Andorra, the "Three Lions" have now improved under the leadership of coach Thomas Tuchel. In addition to Kane continuing to be worthy of the title of leader, the central defender pair Guehi - Konsa (both scored); midfielders Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers and striker Madueke all played outstandingly. Strong teams such as France (Group D), Spain (Group E), Portugal (Group F) all won 2 matches in this qualifying round. Along with England and Norway, they are all considered secure in the race to the finals. Switzerland have also won two consecutive matches in Group B, but their advantage mainly comes from the big surprise in this group: Sweden lost 0-2 to Kosovo.

Italy are clearly at a disadvantage against Norway in Group I (as mentioned), while Germany are in danger in Group A, having lost 0-2 in Slovakia. The other pairs that are locked in a tight contest are Scotland/Denmark (Group C), Netherlands/Poland (Group G), Bosnia & Herzegovina/Austria (Group H), North Macedonia/Belgium (Group J) and Croatia/Czech Republic (Group L).

World Cup 2026 has DETERMINED 18 SEATS

They are Morocco, Tunisia (Africa), Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay (South America), Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia (Asia), New Zealand (Oceania), USA, Canada, Mexico (co-host).

The South American qualifying round has just ended, with Bolivia securing a playoff spot. Before that, Oceania also finished its qualifying round, with the right to play off belonging to New Caledonia. The remaining 4 playoff spots belong to Africa (1 team), Asia (1 team), CONCACAF (2 teams). These teams will play a knockout match (according to FIFA rankings, the higher teams will be exempted from the first round), competing for 2 tickets to the World Cup finals. The above mentioned playoff series is independent of the European playoff stage, where 4 more teams will get the play-off tickets in addition to the 12 teams with official tickets from the top 12 positions.

Apart from Tunisia and Morocco who have just officially won tickets in this qualifying round, Cape Verde is the team that has made the most significant impression in the African region. They have just consolidated their top position in the group with a 1-0 win over their main rival Cameroon. With a gap of 4 points, Cape Verde only needs to win 1 of the remaining 2 matches to be sure of topping the group. The remaining opponents: Libya and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Sharing the same fate as Cameroon is Nigeria. The "Super Eagles" are 6 points behind the top team South Africa while each side has only 2 matches left.

In the CONCACAF region, Jamaica won all 2 of their first matches while Surinam and Honduras both have 4 points in their groups (each group has 4 teams, with the group winner going to the finals and the 2 best second-placed teams going to the play-offs). Surinam - is full of hope to make history in this qualifying round. This is the country that has produced Dutch football icons such as Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids... The CONCACAF qualifying round is very "easy" because there are no USA, Mexico and Canada!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vong-loai-world-cup-2026-y-that-the-duc-bi-de-doa-185250910213135185.htm