Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland, and Austria Secure Their Ticket to the 2026 World Cup
The European qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup concluded this Tuesday, with Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland, and Austria securing the last direct spots from the region.
Spain tied 2-2 at home against Turkey, but secured first place in Group E and, incidentally, equaled Italy’s 31-match unbeaten streak in official matches. This Italian record was maintained between 2018 and 2021.
In Seville, the initial dominance of the locals resulted in Dani Olmo’s goal, his twelfth at international level. However, Deniz Gul equalized the score in the first half, being the first goal that Spain conceded in Group E.
Turkey dominated the start of the second half and was rewarded when Salih Özcan made it 2-1, putting Spain on the brink of defeat. Mikel Oyarzabal rescued the tie for the home side.
Although the visitors needed an almost impossible feat to qualify, they will have to settle for the repechage, despite ending Spain’s winning streak.
Scotland defeated Denmark, who played with ten men, 4-2 in Group C, with a spectacular overhead kick from Scott McTominay three minutes into the game. Scotland scored two more goals in the added time of the second half, after the expulsion of a Danish player, to seal the victory at Hampden Park.
This victory qualified Scotland for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
A 1-1 draw at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina was enough for Austria in Group H, while Belgium thrashed Liechtenstein 7-0. Switzerland qualified after drawing 1-1 in Kosovo.
Charles De Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku each scored two goals, helping Belgium secure their fourth consecutive World Cup, despite playing without the injured Kevin De Bruyne.
Wales secured second place in Belgium’s group after thrashing North Macedonia 7-1 at home, with a hat-trick from Harry Wilson. A draw would have been enough for North Macedonia, as both they and Wales were assured of a play-off spot through the Nations League.
The 12 group winners qualified directly, while the runners-up will participate in the play-offs along with the four best group winners from the 2024-25 Nations League who did not finish first or second in their groups during the qualification.
The qualifiers will be held from March 26 to 31. The World Cup will be played in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
