Which Major Nations Can Qualify for World Cup 2026 During International Break

The World Cup 2026 qualifiers are back this week with several nations looking to make it through to the tournament with one matchday still to come.

That would be if their sides can secure positive results in their first fixture this week.

And there are some nations who remain reliant on other countries doing them a turn.

England are the only country in Europe who have made it through automatically so far with tournament hopeful Thomas Tuchel and his squad now able to put their feet up.

Of course the Three Lions still have Serbia and Albania to face but they can take their foot off the gas, to an extent.

Nations who can still qualify for World Cup 2026

Other big hitters are so close to the competition that they can almost taste it and some can make it through officially this week if results go their way.

Most nations have a few matches on their qualification calendar still to play but it could take just this week’s matches for qualification to mathematically go forward.

So we at FootballBlog have taken a closer look at some of the heavyweights left to duke it out to make the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Scotland

We did say big hitters, didn’t we?

Steve Clarke’s Scots are still in with a fighting chance of winning automatic qualification for the World Cup and what a success it would be for them to do it.

Scotland have not participated at a World Cup since 1998 and they are so close.

If they can avoid defeat to the already out of the running Greece on Saturday in Piraeus, a win over Denmark at Hampden would see them through and set up what would be a huge party for the Tartan Army next year.

Spain

Spain would be one of the tournament favourites from the outset having recently won the Euros.

If they beat Georgia on Saturday they will be officially into the competition and what would a World Cup be without the 2010 winners?

A draw could also see them through against the Georgians but that would mean Turkey would have to be beaten by Bulgaria.

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo will have this competition earmarked as his final opportunity to win the whole thing.

The Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus icon has won almost everything the beautiful game has had to offer him including the Champions League, Euros with Portugal and the domestic trophies.

But the World Cup is the big one which has alluded him.

If Portugal beat Ireland they will go through while a draw would be enough so long as Hungary drop points to Armenia.

Germany

The Germans are not in a position to qualify automatically this week and will have to wait on results from the other games.

They lead Group A by goal difference ahead of Slovakia while Northern Ireland are also on their tail.

All they have to ensure is that they do the business when the matches come and they will be through. But it’s a bit of a waiting game for that stage.

France

Beat Ukraine on Friday evening and make the tournament, it is really as simple as that for Les Bleus.

Republic of Ireland

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s troops are needing serious favours and that is just to make the playoffs in second spot.

The Irish are third in Group F behind Portugal and Hungary and they are still to square off against both sides with just four points to their name.

Unfortunately things look bleak for the Irish and it could be another wait for World Cup participation.

Netherlands

If Netherlands can defeat Poland on Friday they will make it to the competition next year.

Other nations in Group G are unable to finish second already with the points gap too great so it seems it will be a straight shootout for top with Finland sitting back in third right now.

Italy

Italy must beat Moldova on Thursday to remain seriously in the hunt for top spot in Group I.

The Italians have been strong in their group campaign so far with five wins from six but they have come up against a rampant Norway with record breaker Erling Haaland running the show.

Goal difference regardless of their Moldova clash might see them still finish behind Norway but they will push for the chance.

Norway

As mentioned, Haaland has ruled the roost for his country.

They have managed an incredible six wins from six with maximum points and may well be playing at the World Cup next summer.

Even if Italy defeat Moldova and Norway somehow suffer a shock loss vs Estonia, their superior goal difference (+26 compared to Italy’s +10), they look likely to sail through barring an almighty collapse.

That will be their first WC since 1998.

Belgium

The Red Devils will secure top spot with a victory over Kazakhstan away from home on Thursday.

Certainly no easy feat for Rudi Garcia and his men, but given they are yet to taste defeat in this campaign, they will feel confident going into the fixture.

Wales

Craig Bellamy has done such an excellent job with his homeland and there remains work to be done.

They will battle it out with North Macedonia for qualification and it will likely go to the final fixture against their foes to decide who ends where.

Croatia

It seems like job essentially done for the Croats who played in the 2018 final only to lose to France that day.

They sit top of their Group L with 16 points and ahead of second place who are behind by three.

If they avoid defeat to the Faroe Islands in front of their home crowd in what would be a shocker of a result, Zlatko Dalic’s men would be through.