We now have 28 of the 48 participants in the 2026 World Cup! If the Blues did not ensure their qualification for the next World Cup on Monday, by conceding a draw in Iceland (2-2), it is England which is the first European team and validates its ticket for North America. Tuesday evening, the Three Lions led by Thomas Tuchel continued their flawless performance with a sixth success in Latvia (0-5, with a double from their essential scorer Harry Kane).
The other 11 direct qualifiers from the Europe zone will be known during the November window. Portugal missed the boat while Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates had the opportunity to celebrate a qualifier in Lisbon, in the lair of Sporting. The five-time Ballon d’Or scored a double but the Hungarians snatched a point in added time by Hungary (2-2).
The French team (if it qualifies) will not face England since the Three Lions will also be among the top seeds in the draw on December 5 in Washington DC. But Didier Deschamps’ Blues face five new opponents this Tuesday: Senegal, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
In the afternoon, South Africa, 3-0 winner over Rwanda, was very happy to see Benin (leader before the last day) being beaten by Nigeria (4-0). The Cheetahs go from dream to nightmare as the Super Eagles steal 2nd place, synonymous with the play-offs. In the evening, Senegal, with a double from Sadio Mané and a superb goal from Iliman Ndiaye, did not tremble against the Mauritanian neighbor (4-0). Ivory Coast won 3-0 in Kenya to avoid being overtaken by Gabon, who finished with one point.
The Blues facing Hervé Renard?
The nine African teams are known (Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Cape Verde and Ghana were already qualified), but four selections remain alive. The African dams give two posters with Nigeria-Gabon and Cameroon-DR Congo. The winner of this Final Four will be the African representative during the intercontinental play-off in March 2026.
Finally, the Asian qualifications gave two new participants in the 2026 World Cup: Qatar, double reigning Asian champion and Saudi Arabia.Hervé Renard ! The Qataris beat the Emirates (2-1) at home to finish at the top of their mini-group, while the Green Falcons held Iraq (0-0) to a draw to remain first with the best attack. Emiratis and Iraqis will face each other back and forth to then compete in the intercontinental play-off.
