England and Portugal are poised to wrap up their 2026 World Cup qualifying groups with two matches to spare, while Norway could return to the finals for the first time since 1998. Thomas Tuchel’s England underlined their form with a 5–0 win in Belgrade over Serbia last month and have yet to concede in five qualifiers. England are not back in Group K action until Tuesday; a victory over Latvia in Riga would secure their place if Serbia fail to beat Albania on Saturday. England hold a seven-point lead over Albania with three to play, with Serbia a further point back but holding a game in hand. Several non-regulars impressed in Serbia, prompting Tuchel to omit Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from his latest squad. “Keep on pushing,” he said of those left out, explaining he kept the same group to build on the strong team spirit shown in September. Serbia’s meeting with Albania looms as decisive for second place and a play-off bert
Portugal, eight goals from two September outings, can likely finish the job in Group F with wins against the Republic of Ireland and Hungary, unless Armenia beat both of those opponents. Cristiano Ronaldo scored three in September, including one in a 3–2 win away to Hungary sealed by a late João Cancelo penalty, as Portugal target a seventh straight World Cup.
Norway’s surge—24 goals in five consecutive wins—has Erling Haaland on nine in the group, with five coming in an 11–1 defeat of Moldova. A home win over Israel on Saturday would end Norway’s 28-year finals absence if Italy fail to beat either Estonia or Israel in Group I. Norway will be without captain Martin Ødegaard after a knee injury for Arsenal, with coach Ståle Solbakken urging a constructive response. Elsewhere, four-time winners Italy want to avoid the play-offs after missing 2018 and 2022 via that route. France could qualify with victories over Azerbaijan and Iceland if Iceland draw with Ukraine; Spain also have a pathway in Group E if multiple results go their way. Croatia and Switzerland could book spots soon, while Germany have little margin for error in Group A after a shock loss to Slovakia, facing Luxembourg on Friday and Northern Ireland next.
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