2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Ronaldo cleared to play opening matches at World Cup

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play his side's opening matches at next year's World Cup after FIFA suspended the final two matches of a three-match ban on Tuesday.

World Cup heroes 'ambassadors Haiti sorely needs', says coach

Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, is going to the 2026 World Cup -- the culmination of an 18-month period of painstaking work by coach Sebastien Migne who is yet to even visit the country.

Playoff drama awaits as six tickets left for 2026 World Cup

With 42 teams punching their tickets after the final wave of direct qualifiers, the race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has boiled down to six last spots -- four in Europe and two across the rest of the world. The continent playoffs now stand between 22 hopeful nations and football’s grandest stage, setting up a tense March window in Europe and an intriguing intercontinental showdown involving teams from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.

Nigeria coach blames 'voodoo' after World Cup hopes crushed

Nigeria's football coach has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of practising "voodoo" after his squad's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended in a penalty shootout loss.

Last-gasp Parrott hattrick books Ireland playoff spot over Hungary

A 96th-minute Troy Parrott goal to complete his hat-trick booked Ireland a spot in the playoffs for next year's World Cup with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over their nearest Group F rivals Hungary in a must-win game in Budapest.

Portugal qualify for World Cup with 9-1 thrashing of Armenia

Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1 in their final Group F qualifier on Sunday to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as group toppers, with Bruno Fernandes leading the charge with a hattrick.

Belgium have not been good enough in World Cup qualifiers, says Doku

A disappointed Jeremy Doku said Belgium have not been good enough in most of their World Cup qualifiers, even though they have the routine task of needing to beat tiny Liechtenstein at home on Tuesday to secure a berth at next year's finals.

Oyarzabal nets double as Spain beat Georgia to all but seal World Cup spot

In-form striker Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain thrashed Georgia 4-0 away on Saturday to set a national record and all but guarantee their place in next year's World Cup finals.

Spain players on their way to becoming 'legendary': coach De la Fuente

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Friday his squad are on their way to becoming "legendary" like the players that won the country's first World Cup, in 2010, and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

November 16, 2025
November 16, 2025

Belgium have not been good enough in World Cup qualifiers, says Doku

A disappointed Jeremy Doku said Belgium have not been good enough in most of their World Cup qualifiers, even though they have the routine task of needing to beat tiny Liechtenstein at home on Tuesday to secure a berth at next year's finals.

November 16, 2025
November 16, 2025

Oyarzabal nets double as Spain beat Georgia to all but seal World Cup spot

In-form striker Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain thrashed Georgia 4-0 away on Saturday to set a national record and all but guarantee their place in next year's World Cup finals.

November 15, 2025
November 15, 2025

Spain players on their way to becoming 'legendary': coach De la Fuente

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Friday his squad are on their way to becoming "legendary" like the players that won the country's first World Cup, in 2010, and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

November 15, 2025
November 15, 2025

Croatia qualify for 2026 World Cup, Netherlands close

Croatia booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in North America with an unconvincing 3-1 win over the in-form Faroe Islands on Friday as the Netherlands all but booked their spot in the finals too.

November 15, 2025
November 15, 2025

Germany on brink of World Cup qualification after 2-0 win over Luxembourg

Germany forward Nick Woltemade scored twice in the second half to give the four-time world champions a hard-earned 2-0 win over Luxembourg in their penultimate 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday, leaving them on the brink of automatic qualification.

November 12, 2025
November 12, 2025

France aim to secure World Cup spot on anniversary of Paris attacks

On Friday, November 13, 2015, a series of attacks in Paris and around the Stade de France during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany left a total of 130 people dead.

November 11, 2025
November 11, 2025

Yamal released from World Cup qualifiers by 'upset' Spanish federation

Lamine Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after undergoing treatment, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced Tuesday.

November 6, 2025
November 6, 2025

Kante returns as France seek to clinch World Cup berth

Saudi Arabia-based veteran N'Golo Kante returned to the France squad to reinforce the injury-hit midfield for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

October 6, 2025
October 6, 2025

Man City's Rodri out of Spain squad after injury

Spain confirmed Monday Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez will not be joining them for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, after suffering a hamstring injury.

September 5, 2025
September 5, 2025

‘I love playing football... don’t want it to ever end’: Messi after home swansong

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will sit out Argentina’s final group match against Ecuador next week.