Norway and Portugal can secure their passages to the FIFA World Cup finals in Sunday’s European Qualifiers.
We look over the key storylines and permutations as the groups conclude across Matchday 10.
How do the European Qualifiers work?
All games 20:45 CET unless stated
Matchday 10 fixtures
Sunday 16 November
F Hungary vs Republic of Ireland (15:00)
F Portugal vs Armenia (15:00)
D Ukraine vs Iceland (18:00)
K Serbia vs Latvia (18:00)
K Albania vs England (18:00)
D Azerbaijan vs France (18:00)
I Italy vs Norway
I Israel vs Moldova
- Group D: France are through to the finals following Thursday’s win against Ukraine, whose meeting with Iceland is a straight battle for second place, with both sides level on seven points coming into Matchday 10. “The next game will be the decisive one and we’ll be doing all we can to be ready,” said Ukraine boss Serhiy Rebrov.
- Group I: Italy are sure of at least a runners-up slot as they welcome section-topping Norway, the runaway top scorers in these qualifiers with 33 goals, including 14 for Erling Haaland. Barring a freakish result at San Siro, a first World Cup finals since 1998 beckons for Ståle Solbakken’s men.
- Group K: Safely through to the finals, England have yet to concede in these European Qualifiers, while their hosts Albania are sure of a play-off place after their 1-0 win in Andorra on Matchday 9. England forward Bukayo Saka wants to maintain momentum: “We’ve won every game and we want to keep building on that.”
Monday 17 November
L Czechia vs Gibraltar
A Northern Ireland vs Luxembourg
L Montenegro vs Croatia
G Malta vs Poland
A Germany vs Slovakia
G Netherlands vs Lithuania
- Group A: Level on 12 points at the top of the section, Germany take on Slovakia for a finals place. Julian Nagelsmann’s side lost 2-0 in Slovakia at the start of the campaign, and Slovakia midfielder Lukáš Haraslín is up for the rematch, his side needing a win to qualify: “We’re really looking forward to it.”
- Group G: The Netherlands are three points clear of Poland, and while Jan Urban’s side can theoretically finish top, it would take an extremely unlikely set of results. Most likely, Poland are headed for the play-offs. “Let’s hope this is a taste of something bigger to come,” said Jakub Kamiński after scoring in Friday’s 1-1 draw with the Oranje.
- Group L: Croatia qualified as section winners on Friday, with Czechia confirmed in second place. “We’ll go to Montenegro feeling relaxed, but with the intention of taking all three points,” said Croatia defender Joško Gvardiol. “Every game from now on is preparation for next summer.”
Tuesday 18 November
B Sweden vs Slovenia
B Kosovo vs Switzerland
C Belarus vs Greece
C Scotland vs Denmark
E Bulgaria vs Georgia
E Spain vs Türki̇ye
J Wales vs North Macedonia
J Belgium vs Liechtenstein
H Austria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
H Romania vs San Marino
- Group B: The final standings will be settled on the final day, though Kosovo would have to pull off an extraordinary win in Switzerland to overturn Murat Yakin’s side’s goal-difference advantage. “A lot would have to happen for Switzerland not to qualify,” said Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka. “That being said, we need to stay focused in our game against Kosovo.”
- Group C: After Belarus unexpectedly earned a 2-2 draw in Copenhagen on Saturday, Scotland have been thrown a lifeline, and will be playing Denmark for a World Cup place at Hampden Park. “We got a lucky break,” admitted manager Steve Clarke after his side’s 3-2 loss in Greece. “Belarus got a result in Denmark and that gives us everything to play for.”
- Group E: Spain and Türkiye are sure of a top-two finish, but even if Vincenzo Montella’s side win in Seville, the European champions’ goal-difference advantage is substantial. Montella conceded that his team selection may be governed by thoughts of the play-offs. “We need to be sensible,” he said. “We need to get to March with a clean bill of health.”
- Group H: Austria came close to qualifying on Saturday only for a late Bosnia and Herzegovina rally to stop them in their tracks. The Bosnians can now steal top spot with a win in Vienna. “We knew we had to win [in Cyprus],” shrugged 36-year-old top scorer Marko Arnautović on Saturday. “Thank God we did. As long as I can stand on my feet, I’ll play for the national team.”
- Group J: A draw in Kazakhstan denied Belgium early progress, but while they are certain of at least a play-off place, Wales and North Macedonia will be ready to pounce if they have a bad day against Liechtenstein. Forward Jeremy Doku knows the Red Devils need to quickly brush aside their result in Astana. “Everyone needs to do better,” he said.
