Croatia, France, Slovakia, Switzerland, England, Norway, Portugal, and Spain are all on the verge of booking spots for the FIFA World Cup 2026 during October’s qualifying fixtures.
Zurich | BY ASJFNEWS Disk
FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying resumes for UEFA nations on 9 October, with 48 matches scheduled across 12 groups over six days. Eight teams, Croatia, France, Slovakia, Switzerland, England, Norway, Portugal, and Spain, could secure direct qualification to North America during this round.
Slovakia leads Group A and can guarantee qualification with wins over Northern Ireland and Luxembourg, depending on Germany’s results. Switzerland tops Group B and can secure a berth with victories against Sweden and Slovenia, provided Kosovo fails to earn maximum points.
Other teams are also positioned to clinch spots: France in Group D, Spain in Group E, Portugal in Group F, Norway in Group I, England in Group K, and Croatia in Group L, each requiring specific results in their remaining fixtures.
The 12 group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the runners-up and four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners will enter a 16-team play-off to determine the final European slots.
October’s matches will be crucial in shaping the European field for the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to take place in June and July next year across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.