UEFA Qualifiers Summary

By Adam Luna

UEFA qualifying for the 2026 World Cup involves 12 groups (Groups A–L).
Group winners qualify directly; runners-up go into playoff paths.
The current stage is Matchday 7 & 8 (of the group stage), with the final matchdays still to come.

Key Matches & Results

Here are some of the standout results and performances from the latest rounds:

Match / Group	Result	What Stood Out
England vs Latvia (Group K)	England 5-0 Latvia	England sealed qualification with this match — perfect record so far. Harry Kane scored twice.
Spain vs Bulgaria (Group E)	Spain 4-0 Bulgaria	Spain continue their dominance, the clean sheets, and an impressive goal differential. Merino scored twice.
Portugal vs Hungary (Group F)	2-2 draw	Portugal dropped points at home despite Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice. Hungary snatched a late equalizer via Dominik Szoboszlai.
Türkiye vs Georgia (Group E)	4-1 Türkiye	Türkiye stayed close to Spain at the top of the group; important win to keep pressure up.
Norway vs Israel (Group I)	5-0 Norway	A strong statement from Norway. Erling Haaland was again central in goalscoring. Perfect start in this group.
Portugal vs Republic of Ireland (Group F)	1-0 Portugal	A late winner by Rúben Neves saved Portugal from dropping more ground. Tight affair.

England is the first UEFA nation to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup from Europe. Their dominant run (unbeaten, clean sheets, goal difference) gives them momentum and certainty.
Spain are in great shape in Group E. Perfect so far, and their performances suggest they’ll likely take the top spot. Türkiye is pushing, but they have work to do.
Portugal are in a favorable position, but recent draws show vulnerabilities. They can’t take anything for granted if Hungary or Ireland pick up results.
Norway looks very strong in Group I, leading with big wins and healthy goal differences. If they keep it up, direct qualification looks likely.
Some groups remain tightly contested, especially for second places and playoff spots. Teams like Hungary, Ireland, Serbia, etc., are under pressure to both defend their positions and make strong finishes.

The final matchdays (November) will be crucial, especially for teams still vying to win their groups or guarantee a direct spot.
Teams being challenged for playoff spots must win their remaining fixtures and hope for favorable results elsewhere.
Goal difference and defensive records may prove decisive, especially in groups where several teams are neck-and-neck.
Injuries, form, and rotation will likely play a role as fixtures stac