⚽ The final matchday of the 2026 European World Cup qualifiers is kicking off today through Tuesday. These matches will determine who’ll qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, and who’ll head to the European playoffs.

Group F:

  • Hungary vs. Ireland (4pm);
  • Portugal vs. Armenia (4pm).

Where the group stands: Group leaders Portugal (10 points) are in a tricky position following a draw and a loss in their last two matches. This leaves both Hungary (8 points) and Ireland (7 points) with a chance to snatch an early ticket to qualification.

Group D:

  • Azerbaijan vs. France (7pm);
  • Ukraine vs. Iceland (7pm).

Where the group stands: Topping the group with 13 points, France has already secured its spot in the lead, leaving Iceland and Ukraine to compete for second place and the playoff ticket. Both teams have 7 points under their belt, but Iceland has an advantage on goal difference, with +4 to Ukraine’s -3.

Group K:

  • Serbia vs. Latvia (7pm);
  • Albania vs. England (7pm).

Where the group stands: England has already made the qualification cut with a spotless record, having secured one victory after the other, conceding no goals. Albania has also secured its spot as the runner-up regardless of today’s results.

REMEMBER- The European playoffs consist of 12 teams that have all finished as runners-up in their groups, with four additional teams topping their respective UEFA Nations League Groups. Four teams from these playoffs will eventually qualify for the World Cup.

The African qualification finals for the Inter-Confederation World Cup playoffs is also kicking off today, bringing together Nigeria and Congo DR in a much-anticipated face-off at 9pm.

Nigeria qualified following a 4-1 victory over Gabon, whereas Congo made the cut after taking out Cameroon. These four teams had earned the highest points among all African qualifying group runners-up, earning them the chance to compete for a spot in the Inter-Confederation playoffs.

TLDR; The Inter-Confederation playoffs gathers teams from all continents with the exception of Europe, on account of having their own separate playoffs. It consists of six teams competing for the two remaining World Cup spots as follows:

  • Africa: One team, TBD;
  • Asia: One team, TBD;
  • North and Central America: Two teams, both TBD;
  • South America: Bolivia;
  • Oceania: New Caledonia.
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