Minnows Moldova might still make it to the playoff round on the Nations League Group Winner path. Those spots currently held by Romania, Wales, Northern Ireland and Sweden. If one of those teams that isn't Wales* manages to make it into the playoffs as group runners-up, Moldova will go through. If two of them do, then San Marino join them.
*Wales would likely displace North Macedonia, who themselves are Nations League Group winners, and so would go through instead.
So complex!
World Cup 2026
I recommend the brilliant https://x.com/fmeetsdata account for following all the permutations.
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Stranded
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Hob Nob Subscriber
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SanguineStranded
Yeah Norway are there bar a 4 goal defeat.
I for one am here for Italy failing to qualify again, a third time in a row.
Ekitike got his first goal for France last night, and it's a beauty.
https://x.com/UtdXQueku/status/1989239176064065840
Arne Slot take note - wide left is his best position. What's telling - and as noted on the link - is his footballing intelligence to play the one-two, when many strikers would have just shot from range. He's been a brilliant signing.
Of the 2 big name strikers to have left Eintracht in the last 18 months, I miss watching Ekitike more - fantastic player with a very high ceiling.
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From Despair To Where?
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SutekhClyde1998 Ireland are 2-0 up against Portugal at half-time. Would blow that group wide open going into the final round of fixtures if Ireland were to win.
Ronny sent off when Ireland already 2 up. Result unlikely to change much though in a group that’ll see Portugal and Hungary qualify. Ireland have basically kept their chance of finishing 2nd if they win in Hungary on Sunday. Would have to totally destroy Hungary and win by about 4 or 5 to get above Portugal in the table though.
I thought the sending off was quite harsh, but tbf, it was reviewed. However, once again Ronaldo's reaction shows how much of a graceless, petulant little bellend he is when things don't go his way.
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South Coast Royal
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How do others feel about our chances of winning next year?
I am getting a bit fed up with ITV commentators in most of what they say but in particular their going on and on and on about the expected high temperatures that we will face, forgetting that all the other countries will face the same issue.
It will though IMHO have an affect on our midfield if , as expected, we end up playing both Anderson and Rice as part of the 3-man midfield.
The game for both of these is about hard running so will they be as effective over there as they have been when playing internationals in Europe?
Do they have the guile and vision required?.
Also I still feel that whatever back 4 we put out is not that special and that neither Rashford nor Gordon are good enough and regular enough finishers when they are effectively played as wide strikers (rather than as wingers there to provide chances for others).
Personally, because of his better all round game I would pick Eze ahead of either of them and Saka on the other side who plays that wide striking role so well.
So, probably quarter finalists or semi finalists at best is my prediction as of now because I don't see us keeping clean sheets against the better teams and we lack a certain amount of flair when it comes to going forward and creating chances although I do expect some success with the long-throws and both corners and free-kicks but success from those might not be enough.
The qualification has been such that Tuchel won't have learned too much new about his players on the pitch as the opposition has been so weak but I do like his idea of building a team rather than try and fit in as many big names as he can, something that past managers have so often done.
I am getting a bit fed up with ITV commentators in most of what they say but in particular their going on and on and on about the expected high temperatures that we will face, forgetting that all the other countries will face the same issue.
It will though IMHO have an affect on our midfield if , as expected, we end up playing both Anderson and Rice as part of the 3-man midfield.
The game for both of these is about hard running so will they be as effective over there as they have been when playing internationals in Europe?
Do they have the guile and vision required?.
Also I still feel that whatever back 4 we put out is not that special and that neither Rashford nor Gordon are good enough and regular enough finishers when they are effectively played as wide strikers (rather than as wingers there to provide chances for others).
Personally, because of his better all round game I would pick Eze ahead of either of them and Saka on the other side who plays that wide striking role so well.
So, probably quarter finalists or semi finalists at best is my prediction as of now because I don't see us keeping clean sheets against the better teams and we lack a certain amount of flair when it comes to going forward and creating chances although I do expect some success with the long-throws and both corners and free-kicks but success from those might not be enough.
The qualification has been such that Tuchel won't have learned too much new about his players on the pitch as the opposition has been so weak but I do like his idea of building a team rather than try and fit in as many big names as he can, something that past managers have so often done.
Good job the Scottish parliament didn't go through with this.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25534 ... and-match/
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25534 ... and-match/
Final round of UEFA WC qualifying games this week state of play currently is:
Group A (Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg)
Only thing to settle is who wins the group and who gets 2nd. Most likely Germany will qualify and Slovakia will be play off bound. Winner take all game between the two of them scheduled to be played in Germany tomorrow at 7.45pm (UK time).
Group B (Switzerland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Sweden)
Switzerland more or less qualified being 3 points clear of Kosovo with a massively (+11) better goal difference. Final game is Kosovo v Switzerland so to win the group and avoid the play offs Kosovo need to win 6-0
Group C (Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Belarus)
Scotland are guaranteed a play off spot but can still win the group to earn automatic qualification and a place at the finals for the first time since 1998. Just need a win over Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday night. Game will be live on BBC2 apparently)
Group D (France, Iceland, Ukraine, Azerbaijan)
France have already won the group and will qualify leaving behind another winner take all game for a play off berth between Ukraine and Iceland at 5pm today. Currently Iceland have the advantage courtesy of a +7 better goal difference so just need to avoid defeat to get second place.
Group E (Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria)
Spain and Turkey will take the top 2 spots it's just a question of which one wins the group and which one finishes second. Given their current 3 point lead and GD it will be Spain who automatically qualify and leave the Turks to the play off lottery. As seems usual in all these groups this time round the final game for the pair is a face off in Madrid on Tuesday with Turkey needing to win 7-0
Group F (Portugal, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia)
Portugal are guaranteed to progress onward (and most likely as group winners) but Hungary have a chance to win the group by beating Ireland and hoping Portugal fall to one of the biggest shocks ever by losing to Armenia in Lisbon. Ireland could still sneak the runners up spot if they win in Hungary however. Should Armenia beat the Ronnyless Portuguese then Ireland could also top the group with a 4 goal win.
Group G (Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta)
Netherlands and Poland have the top two spots sewn up. The Dutch lead the group by 3 points and a +12 better GD from the Poles. Really can't see that changing with the final group games being Netherlands v Lithuania and Malta v Poland.
Group H
Austria and Bosnia/Herzegovina will be the top 2 with the deciding game to settle the final positions being Bosnia's trip to Austria on Tuesday. Bosnia will need to win to top the group.
Group I (Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, Moldova)
Top 2 will be Norway and Italy with the Italy v Norway game deciding the final positions though it's fairly evident that the play offs will be welcoming Italy given that to top the group they will need to beat Norway 9-0
Group J (Belgium, North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein)
Possibly the most "exciting" group left as Belgium, Wales and North Macedonia are still vying for the top two places. Belgium are currently top by 2 points and a superior GD from both North Macedonia and Wales who both have 13 points. Belgium's final game is against the might of Liechtenstein so they will more than likely win the group leaving the Wales v North Macedonia "winner take all" game to decide who gets into the play offs. (believe BBC3 is showing the game live).
[b]Group K[/] (England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Andorra)
This group and group L are the only groups where everything is settled. England have qualified for the finals and Albania will partake of the play offs.
[b]Group L[/] (Croatia, Czech Republic, Gibraltar, Faeroe Islands, Montenegro)
Croatia are off to the US/Mexico/Canada/whatever and the Czechs will be bouncing into the play offs.
Group A (Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg)
Only thing to settle is who wins the group and who gets 2nd. Most likely Germany will qualify and Slovakia will be play off bound. Winner take all game between the two of them scheduled to be played in Germany tomorrow at 7.45pm (UK time).
Group B (Switzerland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Sweden)
Switzerland more or less qualified being 3 points clear of Kosovo with a massively (+11) better goal difference. Final game is Kosovo v Switzerland so to win the group and avoid the play offs Kosovo need to win 6-0
Group C (Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Belarus)
Scotland are guaranteed a play off spot but can still win the group to earn automatic qualification and a place at the finals for the first time since 1998. Just need a win over Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday night. Game will be live on BBC2 apparently)
Group D (France, Iceland, Ukraine, Azerbaijan)
France have already won the group and will qualify leaving behind another winner take all game for a play off berth between Ukraine and Iceland at 5pm today. Currently Iceland have the advantage courtesy of a +7 better goal difference so just need to avoid defeat to get second place.
Group E (Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria)
Spain and Turkey will take the top 2 spots it's just a question of which one wins the group and which one finishes second. Given their current 3 point lead and GD it will be Spain who automatically qualify and leave the Turks to the play off lottery. As seems usual in all these groups this time round the final game for the pair is a face off in Madrid on Tuesday with Turkey needing to win 7-0
Group F (Portugal, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia)
Portugal are guaranteed to progress onward (and most likely as group winners) but Hungary have a chance to win the group by beating Ireland and hoping Portugal fall to one of the biggest shocks ever by losing to Armenia in Lisbon. Ireland could still sneak the runners up spot if they win in Hungary however. Should Armenia beat the Ronnyless Portuguese then Ireland could also top the group with a 4 goal win.
Group G (Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta)
Netherlands and Poland have the top two spots sewn up. The Dutch lead the group by 3 points and a +12 better GD from the Poles. Really can't see that changing with the final group games being Netherlands v Lithuania and Malta v Poland.
Group H
Austria and Bosnia/Herzegovina will be the top 2 with the deciding game to settle the final positions being Bosnia's trip to Austria on Tuesday. Bosnia will need to win to top the group.
Group I (Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, Moldova)
Top 2 will be Norway and Italy with the Italy v Norway game deciding the final positions though it's fairly evident that the play offs will be welcoming Italy given that to top the group they will need to beat Norway 9-0
Group J (Belgium, North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein)
Possibly the most "exciting" group left as Belgium, Wales and North Macedonia are still vying for the top two places. Belgium are currently top by 2 points and a superior GD from both North Macedonia and Wales who both have 13 points. Belgium's final game is against the might of Liechtenstein so they will more than likely win the group leaving the Wales v North Macedonia "winner take all" game to decide who gets into the play offs. (believe BBC3 is showing the game live).
[b]Group K[/] (England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Andorra)
This group and group L are the only groups where everything is settled. England have qualified for the finals and Albania will partake of the play offs.
[b]Group L[/] (Croatia, Czech Republic, Gibraltar, Faeroe Islands, Montenegro)
Croatia are off to the US/Mexico/Canada/whatever and the Czechs will be bouncing into the play offs.
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