The final rounds of Nations League games in the next week bring the 2026 World Cup sharply into focus in Europe. Standout games include Italy hosting France which is again without captain Kylian Mbappé. The most consequential games look like being Netherlands-Hungary on Saturday and Serbia-Denmark on Monday.
FILE - Police officers stand guard ahead the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Denmark at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris, France , Friday, June 3, 2022. People welcome Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans as they arrive at Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport on a flight from Amsterdam, where Israeli soccer fans were attacked following a match between the Israeli club and Ajax Amsterdam, in Lod, Israel, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
The quarterfinalists will be those placing first and second in each of the four groups in top-tier League A. Spain and Germany already secured their positions after theAlso in March, third-place teams in League A groups will face runners-up in the four groups in second-tier League B in promotion-relegation playoffs over two legs. All those teams involved cannot start their World Cup qualifying program until at least June. Some will start in September.
Only the 12 group winners in one year’s time advance direct to the tournament, before the other four European entries are decided by playoff brackets in March 2026. Those 12 top-seeded teams will be the eight Nations League quarterfinalists plus the four best of the rest ranked by FIFA. Those will include England and Belgium.
FIFA World Cup FIFA Sports - Europe Sports Cole Palmer Martin Odegaard Phil Foden Bukayo Saka Canada France Declan Rice Mexico
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FIFA warns Bay Area fans: Don’t buy 2026 World Cup tickets currently on resale sitesOrganizers say they haven’t yet released tickets for the tournament, which will feature six games at Levi’s Stadium.
Read more »
Levi’s Stadium selected as a host site for 2026 FIFA World CupThe World Cup is returning to the Bay Area for the first time since 1994.
Read more »
Vinícius back for Brazil and Martínez for Argentina in South American 2026 World Cup qualifyingArgentina and Brazil will have two of their leading stars available again as South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup resumes with the last two rounds of games this year. Defending World Cup champion Argentina will once again count on goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who was suspended for two international matches in October.
Read more »
Lionel Messi: I value happiness over reaching 2026 World CupLionel Messi said he prioritizes the ability to stay happy and healthy at this point in his career, instead of fixating on reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
Read more »
Lionel Messi leaves door open for 2026 World Cup: 'We will see'Lionel Messi hasn't ruled out making another run with Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Read more »
Seattle Police spend $120K on UK consultant ahead of 2026 World CupWith the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the way and an estimated 750,000 soccer fans coming to Seattle, the police department is dropping $120,000 on a UK consultant with expertise in crowd control.
Read more »