The last day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Europe zone was quite intense. Five direct qualifications were still at stake. Spain and Belgium were almost qualified and validated their ticket for World Cup 26, organized in Canada, the United States and Mexico – but entirely contested in the US from the quarter-finals onwards. La Roja shared the points with Turkey in Seville (2-2) and the Red Devils dominated Liechtenstein with a score of 7-0.
The Spaniards and the Belgians of Rudi Garcia definitively complete the seeded hat of the draw scheduled for Friday December 5 (12 p.m. in Washington DC, 6 p.m. in France). The French team, 3rd Fifa nation, will not fall on these two teams, nor on the three host countries as well as Argentina, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands and Germany.
Didier Deschamps’ Blues, on the other hand, know three potential opponents from the Old Continent. As a reminder, only European selections can be two in the same group. Austria and Switzerland faced their runner-up and trembled. A 1-1 draw, respectively in Vienna and Pristina, allows them to validate their ticket. They will appear in pot 2 of the draw.
Scotland qualify in the 93rd minute
The surprise came from Glasgow, where Denmark, leader of its group before the meeting, lost against Scotland (4-2). For a magnificent qualification for the Tartan Army, its last participation in the World Cup dating back to 1998! The Scots led from the start with a magnificent return from Scott McTominay (3rd), but the Danes equalized twice, through Rasmus Hojlund from the penalty spot (57th) then Patrick Dorgu 10 minutes from the end (82nd).
In a delirious Hampden Park, we finally celebrated two goals synonymous with the 2026 World Cup in full added time, signed Kieran Tierney (93rd) and Kenny McLean (98th)! Denmark will compete in the European play-offs next March, being seeded like Italy, Turkey and Ukraine. They will face Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia or Northern Ireland in the semi-finals. Draw Thursday 1 p.m.
