2026 World Cup European Qualifiers: Norway and Portugal seal tickets, playoff participants confirmed

On November 16, the final matchday of the 2026 World Cup European qualification took place in Groups D, F, I, and K. All matches have been played, and the direct qualifiers and playoff contenders have been determined.

Norway and Portugal qualify directly for the World Cup

The main heroes of the evening were Norway and Portugal, who secured direct spots at the tournament.

Norway crushed Italy 4–1 away. The hosts started strongly and took the lead through Pio Esposito, but after the break the Norwegians completely changed the game. Antonio Nusa equalised with a powerful strike, and then Erling Haaland scored twice in one minute — first finishing Oscar Bobb’s cross and then converting a one-on-one after a pass from Morten Thorsby. In stoppage time, Jørgen Strand Larsen completed the rout.

Norway finishes Group I with a perfect 24 points, six ahead of Italy.

Portugal put on a goal show in Porto, beating Armenia 9–1. Armenia’s only response came from Eduard Spertsyan, but otherwise they were powerless against the hosts’ relentless attack. Bruno Fernandes and João Neves recorded hat-tricks, while Renato Veiga, Gonçalo Ramos, and Francisco Conceição also scored.

Portugal confidently tops Group F with 13 points.

England and France had qualified long ago — today they just wrapped up the campaign

England, having already secured first place, confidently defeated Albania 2–0 in the final round. Both goals came from Harry Kane, who was close to a hat-trick late in the game. England finished the qualifiers perfectly — 24 points, 22 goals scored, and none conceded.

France, who had guaranteed first place in Group D earlier, beat Azerbaijan 3–1 in Baku. The hosts even took the lead, but Les Bleus quickly turned the match around, and Magnes Aklouish scored his first goal for the national team.

Ireland, Italy, Albania, and Ukraine headed to the playoffs

Four teams will compete for the remaining tickets in March:

• Ireland — dramatic 3–2 win over Hungary in Budapest and second place in Group F (10 points)

• Italy — runners-up of Group I

• Albania — kept second place in Group K despite losing to England

• Ukraine — confident 2–0 victory against Iceland and second place in Group D

Final tables

Group D
France — 16
Ukraine — 10
Iceland — 7
Azerbaijan — 1

Group F
Portugal — 13
Ireland — 10
Hungary — 7
Armenia — 3

Group I
Norway — 24
Italy — 18
Israel — 12
Estonia — 4
Moldova — 1

Group K
England — 24
Albania — 14
Serbia — 13
Latvia — 5
Andorra — 1

European qualification continues on November 17–18 with matches in the remaining groups.

Additionally, on November 16, Africa’s playoff final took place. DR Congo defeated Nigeria in a penalty shootout and advanced to the intercontinental playoff.