Qualification for the 2026 World Cup will experience a high-tension matchday this Thursday, with up to nine national teams from three different continents looking to secure their ticket or take a giant step towards the global event. The spotlight will be on Europe, where up to three direct qualifiers could be decided, as well as in Asia and Africa, which will host the thrilling semifinals of their playoffs.
On the old continent, the matchday is shaping up to be crucial. Norway has the clearest chance to secure direct qualification if they win against Estonia. A Norwegian victory combined with Italy failing to win against Moldova would send the ‘Azzurra’ to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, both France (hosting Ukraine) and Portugal (visiting Ireland in Dublin) depend on themselves: a win would guarantee their presence at the World Cup, avoiding the dreaded playoffs.
The Asian continent reaches its peak moment with the start of the final round. United Arab Emirates will host Iraq in the first leg.
This two-legged tie is crucial, as the eventual winner will earn a spot in the always challenging intercontinental playoff, their last chance to reach the big tournament.
Africa will determine its playoff finalists in two clashes that will be played on neutral ground in Rabat.
The first match will see Nigeria face Gabon, in a game where defensive solidity will be key.
The second ticket to the final will be contested by Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both matches are do-or-die and promise a high level of excitement and competitive tension.
The CONCACAF region heads into its penultimate matchday with the possibility of seeing two major teams secure their direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Jamaica can confirm its qualification this Thursday, but needs to win its match against Trinidad and Tobago and for Bermuda to do the same by beating Curaçao.
Meanwhile, Honduras also depends on itself and on an external result: it must win its match against Nicaragua and hope that the key clash between Costa Rica and Haiti ends in a draw.
The tension is at its peak, as the battle for World Cup tickets and intercontinental playoff spots remains red hot.
📸 FREDRIK VARFJELL – Fredrik Varfjell / NTB
