As Italy prepares for the essential showdown towards Israel, decisive for qualification to the World Cup playoffs, right this moment may already ship main verdicts all over the world.
Right now is a decisive day for a lot of international locations. Matches are being performed in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and the outcomes are something however predictable.
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By tonight, the truth is, 5 groups may safe a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Nevertheless, soccer has taught us to count on surprises and turnarounds, so it’s not out of the query that the variety of certified groups may even rise to seven.
Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the conditions within the three continents and the nationwide groups dreaming of reserving their ticket to America.
🌏 ASIA
In Asia, it is going to be a day of nice pressure and spectacle, with two spots for the 2026 World Cup to be awarded on the finish of direct clashes. The highlight is on United Arab Emirates-Qatar and Saudi Arabia-Iraq.
The United Arab Emirates, buoyed by their win towards Oman, can rely on two out of three doable outcomes to have fun. The scenario is extra sophisticated for Qatar, who’ve just one aim: to win.
The identical state of affairs applies to Iraq, who’re pressured to win to return to the World Cup after forty years of absence. Saudi Arabia, alternatively, because of the variety of targets scored, can accept a draw to e book their ticket to America.
🇪🇺 EUROPE
England is able to write the primary necessary web page of those qualifiers: with 5 wins in 5 matches, Thomas Tuchel’s staff is one step away from the end line.
Simply three extra factors towards Latvia tonight would mathematically safe a spot on the 2026 World Cup, making them the primary European nationwide staff to qualify.
However the focus additionally stays on Portugal, who may expertise a historic evening. In the event that they beat Hungary and Armenia attracts or loses towards Eire, the Portuguese would obtain their aim and reward Cristiano Ronaldo his sixth World Cup look.
🌍 AFRICA
In Africa, a day of extraordinarily excessive pressure is looming. It’s the ultimate spherical, the teams are closing, and meaning there’s no escaping the verdicts. Three nationwide groups will punch their ticket to the 2026 World Cup: with Senegal and Ivory Coast prepared to complete the job towards Mauritania and Kenya.
Each occupy first place of their respective teams, however surprises are by no means missing in soccer.
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As a result of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a win and a simultaneous loss by Senegal, would snatch their place on the World Cup. The identical goes for Gabon, who should win and hope that Ivory Coast attracts or loses.
The highlight can be on Nigeria’s group. Osimhen and Lookman’s Tremendous Eagles will face group leaders Benin in a direct conflict that would imply “goodbye World Cup.”
South Africa, alternatively, hosts a Rwanda aspect already out of competition. To qualify, the Bafana Bafana should win and hope that Nigeria beats Benin. Or win by two targets if the Nigerians draw. In brief, something remains to be doable.
🏆 ALREADY QUALIFIED NATIONAL TEAMS
The historic first qualification of Cape Verde for a World Cup brings the variety of nationwide groups which have already secured a spot on the 2026 World Cup to 22.
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This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 PHILL MAGAKOE – AFP or licensors