European Qualification for the 2026 World Cup: Croatia Qualifies, the Netherlands Must Wait — Results from the Matches of November 14

The European qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup brought decisive outcomes and several major surprises last night. Croatia secured their ticket to the world stage, while the Netherlands will have to settle the qualification task in the final round.

Poland — Netherlands 1:1 (Group G)
In Warsaw, the Polish team came close to complicating the life of the group leader. The hosts missed an early chance but still opened the scoring in the 43rd minute: a precise pass from Robert Lewandowski sent Jakub Kamiński through on goal to slot the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

But at the very start of the second half, Memphis Depay equalized — he was first to the rebound after Kamil Grabara’s save and smashed the ball into the net. The remaining time passed in a tense battle without major chances, and the draw preserved the status quo at the top of the table.

Croatia — Faroe Islands 3:1 (Group L)
The 2018 World Cup runners-up secured qualification for 2026, although the match in Rijeka began worryingly for them. Geza David Turri opened the scoring in the 15th minute after a deflection that caught Dominik Livaković off guard.

The response came quickly: Joško Gvardiol curled the ball into the corner to equalize. After halftime, Petar Musa — called up to the national team for the first time in two years — put the hosts ahead, and in the 70th minute Nikola Vlašić stylishly converted Ivan Perišić’s cross to seal the victory.

Germany on Course for First Place, Slovakia Close Behind (Group A)
Nick Woltemade scored a second-half brace to secure Germany a 2:0 away win over Luxembourg. Julian Nagelsmann’s team has already guaranteed a top-two finish and now prepares for a head-to-head battle with Slovakia for first place.

Slovakia stayed in the chase thanks to a narrow 1:0 win over Northern Ireland. Debutant Tomáš Bobček scored the decisive goal three minutes after coming on.

Shock of the Day: Finland — Malta 0:1 (Group G)
Finland needed a win to keep their hopes for second place alive — but the match took an unexpected turn. Late in the game, Jake Grech calmly finished a quick counterattack, delivering a historic win for Malta and ending Finland’s chances of reaching the World Cup.

Results of November 14

Group A
Luxembourg 0:2 Germany — Nick Woltemade scored twice in the second half.
Slovakia 1:0 Northern Ireland — Tomáš Bobček netted the winning goal shortly after coming on.

Group G
Finland 0:1 Malta — Jake Grech scored the day’s biggest upset.
Poland 1:1 Netherlands.

Group L
Gibraltar 1:2 Montenegro — set-piece goals turned the match around for Montenegro.
Croatia 3:1 Faroe Islands.

Current Standings

Group A
Germany — 12
Slovakia — 12
Northern Ireland — 6
Luxembourg — 0

Group G
Netherlands — 17
Poland — 14
Finland — 10
Malta — 5
Lithuania — 3

Group L
Croatia — 19
Czechia — 13
Faroe Islands — 12
Montenegro — 9
Gibraltar — 0