The October international window is complete for UEFA, and England became the first team from football’s most accomplished region to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A number of teams moved closer to qualifying as well, while others secured they will at least be in the final playoff phase after the two October matches. Here is your look at all the UEFA action. In the CAF region, Senegal and Ghana were among the nine qualifiers.
Perfection Achieved for Thomas Tuchels’ England
It’s 18 goals scored, none conceded and a 6-0-0 record for World Cup contenders England. A 3-0 win in a friendly against Wales was the first game of the window as England scored three times in the first 20 minutes. Harry Kane scored twice as England crushed Latvia 5-0 in the game that secured their World Cup berth. Games against Serbia in London and Albania away in November will be without pressure, as Tuchel can chop and change the lineup and more closely examine which players like Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace might feature in the final World Cup squad. 19-year-old Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers are among the younger players in this squad who could make an impact next summer.
In England’s group, it’s Albania, after a win over Balkan rival Serbia that is placing second on 11 points vs Serbia’s 10. As a result, Serbia sacked their manager and will hope for any result against England.
Germany and Belgium Restore Order to Their Groups
Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade scored the decisive goal to send Germany past Northern Ireland 1-0 in the final World Cup game of this window. Germany previously thumped Luxembourg 4-0, moving to the lead place in their group with 9 points in 4 games. Slovakia was defeated by Northern Ireland 2-0 in the window, leaving them on 9 points as well, but trailing on goal differential. Germany vs Slovakia on November 17th in Leipzig, could decide the group in its final game.
Belgium moved one point clear of North Macedonia with 14 points after 6 games, North Macedonia has 13 points after 7 games. It was still a mixed window for the Belgians, they couldn’t break down North Macedonia’s low block in their home game in Ghent, a scoreless draw was the outcome. North Macedonia could only manage a 1-1 draw with Kazakhstan in their second game of the window, while Belgium were decisive victors over Wales 4-2 in Cardiff.
Kevin de Bruyne scored two goals and Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku had a fantastic evening for the Red Devils who face the two weakest teams in the group, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Wales will head to a playoff based on their nation’s league performance, and are at 10 points in the group.
Croatia, Norway, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland Remain Without Defeat in 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
Other groups have remained true to expectations thus far, Croatia is 5-1-0 and despite a scoreless draw against Czechia they lead their group with 16 points. The Czech’s have 13, as footballing minnows Faroe Islands stunned them on Sunday with a 2-1 win. Faroe Islands have four wins in their last five games and likely have the strongest team in their history. A squad made of players who entirely play their domestic football in Scandinavia. The football mad island of around 50,000 people are still on the outside looking in for qualifying, with a game against Croatia remaining but it’s still been a memorable campaign.
Norway’s perfect record in qualifying, 6-0-0, means Italy’s two wins in the window weren’t enough to catch them. Manchester City’s world class striker Erling Haaland scored a hat trick as Norway beat Israel 5-0, Italy won both games including 3-0 against Israel on the last October matchday. Italy hosts Norway in November in the final game of the group, but for now Italy looks set for the playoff path to qualification.
The Netherlands moved to 5-1-0 in qualifying, three points clear of second place Poland as Memphis Depay is up to 7 goals during qualification, and the Corinthians player has statistically become the most impactful player for his country with both goals and assists. The Dutch scored 8 times in two games and didn’t concede this window.
After four games, France leads Ukraine by 3 points in their qualifying group, Ukraine were undefeated in the window, while France were held to a shocking draw against Iceland (4 points in the group) in the last game of the window. France vs Ukraine on November 13th in Paris should decide the group.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were seconds from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but a late goal from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai in the 91st minute denied them that joy, and they will have to wait for the next window. Portugal has 10 points after 4 games, while Hungary has just 5.
Spain has 12 points after four games, Turkey is on 9 as Mikel Oyarzabal from Real Sociedad added two goals during this window of games. Spain has scored 15 goals and conceded nothing during this qualifying campaign.
Switzerland is also yet to concede during World Cup qualifying, they lack superstars, but one of the most composed and organized international teams is going to be a challenge to face in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After four games, the Swiss are three points clear of second place Kosovo, as a win over Sweden was the highlight of their window.
Denmark and Scotland Duel in Group C
After four games, Denmark and Scotland are locked in a battle for a World Cup berth in their group. Both teams have 10 points, but Denmark has a significant goal differential advantage. Denmark dominated Belarus and Greece this window with Napoli’s Rasmus Hojlund scoring three goals this window. Scotland don’t play as exciting of a playstyle, but it’s been effective, they eliminated Greece with a 3-1 win, Napoli’s Scott McTominay scored the match winner over Belarus 2-1 in the 84th minute in the second match of the window.
Austria on Track to Qualify, Struggling Sweden Sack Coach Before Play-Offs
Austria had a wild World Cup qualifying window, they defeated San Marino 10-0 with every outfield player contributing to a goal, then Romania stunned them on a 95th minute goal in the final game of the window. On 15 points, they remain two points clear of second place Bosnia who only drew with Cyprus in the window. Austria hosts Bosnia on November 18th.
Sweden is just 0-1-3 in this qualifying tournament and will need to use their UEFA Nation’s League performance to qualify for the World Cup in a playoff. The side features Arsenal’s Vikor Gyokeres, Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and Barcelona’s Roony among other players in top leagues. It’s simply stunning that they are completely non-competitive and sit in last with a group of Switzerland, Kosovo, and Slovenia. The manager was sacked, and Sweden will look to wake up their performance on the pitch before it’s too late.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Photo by Stanislaw Klepka / Arena Akcji/NEWSPIX.PL — newspix.pl
