Austria with Germany coach Ralf Rangnick, European champions Spain and Switzerland are within reach of World Cup qualification. After winning 4-0 (3-0) in Tbilisi, the Spanish national team could theoretically only be overtaken by Turkey as the top of Group E. They secured their mathematical chance with a score of 2-0 (1-0) against Bulgaria.
The two teams will meet in a direct duel on Tuesday evening (20.45) in Seville. However, the visiting team had to make up a 14 goal margin to secure a ticket to the tournament MexicoCanada and the United States.
For the Georgia team, double packers Mikel Oyarzabal (11th minute/hand penalty, 63rd), Martín Zubimendi (22nd) and Ferran Torres (34th) scored for a safe victory. Türkiye’s match winner in Bursa was Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who took the lead with a hand penalty in the 18th minute and scored an own goal. Bulgaria Atanas Chernew (83rd) hung up.
Brilliant starting positions for Austria and Switzerland
Austria is also almost certain to qualify thanks to two goals from Marko Arnautovic (18th/foul penalty, 55th). Ralf Rangnick’s team won 2-0 (1-0) in Cyprus and have the chance to advance to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 as winners of Group H. A draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday’s group final in Vienna was enough. The Balkan Republic kept its chances with a score of 3:1 (0:1) against Romania.
Switzerland can also plan direct qualification after a 4:1 (1:1) win against Sweden. Before the Group B final against Kosovo, Switzerland had a three-point and eleven-goal lead over Kosovo, who won 2-0 (1-0) in Slovenia.
For Switzerland, three famous Bundesliga players, Breel Embolo (12), Granit Xhaka (60/foul penalty) and Johan Manzambi (90 + 4), were successful, while Dan Ndoye (75) was responsible for the 3-0 score. Benjamin Nygren’s equalizer (33′) was the first goal under new Swedish coach Graham Potter.
Belgium stumbles in Kazakhstan
There was a much more exciting final in Group C, where the winner of the duel between Scotland and Denmark immediately won a ticket to the World Cup. The losers have a detour through the playoffs. Denmark had the better starting position, and after a 2-2 (1-0) draw against Belarus, a draw would have been enough. Scotland lost a better position thanks to a 2-3 (0-1) defeat in Greece, which extended its lead despite being outnumbered by yellow-red cards in the closing stages.
In the afternoon, Belgium had already missed the initial qualifiers because they drew 1-1 (0-1) in Kazakhstan. After an early surprise from Dastan Satpajew (9), which made the 17-year-old the youngest goalscorer in his country’s history, coach Rudi Garcia’s team only managed to equalize through Hans Vanaken (48). However, Belgium still holds a direct ticket to the World Cup with a draw against bottom team Liechtenstein with no goals and no points.
30 of 48: These teams have already qualified
So far, 30 of the 48 teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The three hosts are America, Canada and Mexico are automatically included. Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan made it into the Asian elimination.
So far, Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Senegal and South Africa are participating from Africa. England, France and Croatia are the first European teams to gain participation. Defending champions Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay are from South America. New Zealand has purchased a ticket in Oceania.
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