The qualification stage for the 2026 World Cup enters its final stretch in Europe today. England is the only European nation that has already secured its place at next year’s tournament, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
But tonight, Kylian Mbappé’s France, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, and Erling Haaland’s Norway could join the Three Lions by mathematically clinching their spots with one matchday to spare.
France Must Beat Ukraine
Among the three, France and Portugal depend solely on themselves, while Norway needs a favorable combination of results.
Les Bleus, leaders of Group D with 10 points, host second-placed Ukraine (7 points) at Paris’ Parc des Princes, meaning that a win would seal France’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
It would also mark their fourth—and final—tournament under Didier Deschamps, whose contract ends next summer.
Deschamps will be without Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Randal Kolo Muani, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot, but he still has Mbappé and Michael Olise available.
Rayan Cherki, who has stood out at Manchester City, returns from injury, and in midfield, 34-year-old N’Golo Kanté could feature alongside Manu Koné one year after his last international appearance.
Ten Years After the Paris Attacks
The France–Ukraine game takes place one day before the 10th anniversary of the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris.
A tribute to the victims will be held before kickoff, and a minute of silence will honor the 132 people who lost their lives.
That tragic night, France was playing Germany at the Stade de France when the attacks unfolded, and one person died near the stadium following a suicide bombing.
Due to the emergency situation, players from both teams remained inside the venue overnight.
A Portugal Win Sends Cristiano to His Sixth World Cup
In Group F, Roberto Martínez’s Portugal (10 points) will qualify for the 2026 World Cup if they defeat third-placed Ireland in Dublin, regardless of the result in the match between second-placed Hungary (5 points) and Armenia.
As Cristiano Ronaldo revealed on Monday, if they qualify, the 2026 tournament would be the sixth—and final—World Cup of his career, as he will be 41 by then.
Having already won a European Championship (2016) and two Nations League titles (2019 and 2025), the Portuguese star will aim once more for the trophy that has eluded him.
Norway Needs a Win and an Italy Slip-Up
Finally, in Group I, Norway—perfect so far with 18 points—must beat Estonia in Oslo and then hope Italy, on 15 points, drop points later in their visit to Moldova.
If that scenario unfolds, the Vikings’ golden generation, led by Haaland, the absent Martin Ødegaard, and Alexander Sørloth, would reach a World Cup for the first time.
If qualification is not decided tonight, Italy and Norway will meet Sunday at San Siro on the final matchday.
The Azzurri have already secured at least a playoff spot—an unsettling prospect given that playoffs have kept them out of the last two World Cups.
