The final round of the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup takes place this Sunday (16th), and five teams are still vying for two direct spots.
Italy faces the toughest challenge to secure their place in the World Cup: they must beat Norway by nine or more goals at San Siro.
Norway leads Group I of the Qualifiers with 21 points in seven games and an impressive goal difference of +29 (33 goals scored and 4 conceded).
Italy has 18 points and a goal difference of +12. Since they lost to the Norwegians 3-0 in the opener, only an extremely lopsided scoreline would put the Azzurri in the lead, thus securing a direct spot.
Any other result sends Gennaro Gattuso’s team to the playoffs, a scenario considered the most likely, even by the coach himself.
Gattuso is trying to keep the squad focused and avoid letting thoughts of the playoffs distract the players now.
Italy will have key absences, such as Calafiori and Tonali, but will play with the support of a packed San Siro, with 60,000 tickets sold.
On the other side, Norway is in great form and has the best attack in the Qualifiers. Erling Haaland, who has scored 14 goals, is the standout player.
Check below to see what each team needs to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Group I
Norway – Secures the spot with a win, a draw, or even a loss by up to eight goals against Italy.
Italy – Needs an unlikely feat: to beat Norway by nine goals or more to claim the direct spot.
Group F
Portugal
– Qualifies with a win over Armenia. Can also advance with a draw, as long as Hungary does not win by three goals or more. In case of defeat, still has a chance if Hungary vs. Ireland ends in a draw or with an Irish win (goal difference will decide).
Hungary
– Needs to beat Ireland and hope for a Portugal loss. If Portugal draws, Hungary advances with a win by three goals or more.
Ireland
– Needs to beat Hungary and hope for a Portugal loss (goal difference will decide).
Who’s dreaming of the playoffs?
In Group D, France is already qualified. The playoff spot will be decided in the match between Ukraine and Iceland, who face each other in Poland.
Iceland only needs a draw, thanks to a better goal difference.
In Group K, everything is settled: England has secured the direct spot, and Albania, coached by Sylvinho, will go to the playoffs.
Current standings of the groups playing today
Group D
- France – 13 pts
- Iceland – 7 pts (+4)
- Ukraine – 7 pts (-3)
- Azerbaijan – 1 pt
Group F
- Portugal – 10 pts
- Hungary – 8 pts
- Ireland – 7 pts
- Armenia – 3 pts
Group I
- Norway – 21 pts
- Italy – 18 pts
- Israel – 9 pts
- Estonia – 4 pts
- Moldova – 1 pt
Group K
- England – 21 pts
- Albania – 14 pts
- Serbia – 10 pts
- Latvia – 5 pts
- Andorra – 1 pt
Today’s matches
Check where to watch by clicking this link.
11am: Portugal vs Armenia
11am: Hungary vs Ireland
2pm: Albania vs England
2pm: Azerbaijan vs France
2pm: Serbia vs Latvia
2pm: Ukraine vs Iceland
4:45pm: Israel vs Moldova
4:45pm: Italy vs Norway
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 STEFANO RELLANDINI – AFP or licensors
