The final games of the first round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying for the UEFA Region were completed on Tuesday. The first 12 of 16 European participants in the tournament were confirmed, with title potential contenders like Portugal and Germany joining the field, while Scotland and Austria confirmed years of international ambition to storm into the field. Here is your look at the results.
Germany, Portugal and Belgium Leave Nothing to Chance in Final Qualifying Game
Technically, Germany, Portugal and Belgium were at risk of failing to qualify top of their groups, but the favorite nations didn’t leave anything to chance. Portugal put 9 goals past Armenia, the first came after 7 minutes, and from 1-1 in the 18th minute, Portugal was leading 5-1 at the half, with Joao Neves scoring twice to put the result away. Portugal would then pour on the goals, adding four in the second half against a weak Armenia side that no longer wanted to be on the field. Portugal shot the ball 34 times and had 76% possession on the day, as the team made a statement that they want to win the World Cup.
Belgium’s 7-0 annihilation of Liechtenstein, with two first half goals from Jeremy Doku confirmed their presence in the tournament. The current Belgian squad may not be genuine title contenders, but they will surely be expected to advance out of the group they are drawn with.
Germany erased the shame of an earlier loss to Slovakia, thumping their rivals 6-0 to secure direct qualification. Leroy Sane had a pair of first half goals and Slovakia didn’t have even a sniff of a chance, shooting the ball just 6 times compared to 22 for the Germans. This version of Germany looked good enough for a deep World Cup run.
Austria Get a Result When It Matters
The other “win or keep waiting” games on the final matchday were between Scotland and Denmark, and Austria and Bosnia.
Austria’s substitute forward Michael Gregoritsch (from Brondby in Denmark) came on the second half, and his game tying goal secured a 1-1 result that put Austria over Bosnia on points in the group. Bosnia’s Haris Tabakovic had scored in the first half, his second goal for his country in as many games this window, but it wasn’t enough. Austria were the superior team in terms of possession though shots were pretty even and the result was fair. Bosnia lacked the offensive threat to advance in front of a partisan Austrian crowd. Austria played themselves into the match and Bosnia saw their chances fade as time went on. Gregoritsch’s poached goal, puts Austria in their first World Cup since 1998.
Scotland’s Journey To The World Cup is Complete
Scotland’s journey is also memorable, in the most entertaining game of the final matchday Scotland beat Denmark at home 4-2, during the game, both Denmark and Scotland had their foot in the world cup, but late it was Scotland that secured victory. Denmark will be frustrated by their performance this tournament. Scott McTominay (Napoli) scored a bicycle kick, a magical goal early in the first half.
Denmark would level the result through a penalty triggered by Andy Robertson’s foul, but Rasmus Kristensen would see red not long after, and playing with 10 men, Denmark were at a disadvantage late in the game. Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland came on for Steve Clarke’s men. Kieran Tierney scored the match winner, and then Kenny McLean scored from a quite distance, catching the Danish goalkeeper off the line to win 4-2 and secure Scotland’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. Despite being one of the founding football nations, Scotland has never advanced beyond the Group Stage in a World Cup, and now Clarke’s men have a new mission, winning their first World Cup game since 1990.
Remaining UEFA Qualifiers Confirmed Including Spain
Remaining teams earning direct World Cup qualification include Switzerland who topped their group ahead of Kosovo and weren’t defeated. France finished 5-1-0 and are title contenders. Spain posted the same record and have a world class team.
The Netherlands completed a somewhat dour qualifying campaign, but 6-2-0 was a workman like to result to ensure World Cup qualification. England and Croatia had already joined the tournament field and didn’t lose all qualification tournament, while Norway’s perfect 8-0-0 record with Erling Haaland dominating the scoring sheet in those matches, confirms them as one of the top nations in European and world football now, despite their limited history of international success. Norway are the only UEFA team to qualify that has fewer than 5 world cup appearances.
UEFA Playoff Draw on Thursday
16 teams will battle for the four remaining UEFA qualification spots. The group runners up are Slovakia, Kosovo, Denmark, Ukraine, Turkey, Ireland, Poland, Bosnia, Italy, Wales, Albania and the Czech Republic.
Qualification via the Nation’s League route has arrived for Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, and Northern Ireland.
On Thursday, the remaining draw paths will be made. Based on ranking and performance during qualifying, Italy and Denmark may be the most prestigious nations yet to qualify, Turkey and Poland have some pedigree, while nations like Albania are upstarts. Sweden, who were awful during qualifying, still have a quality roster, but it would take a massive change in form to see the nation in the World Cup.
