Fox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
By next Tuesday, all 48 spots in the 2026 World Cup – the largest edition in tournament history – will be filled. Until then, there's a lot of important soccer happening around the world – including a full slate of games on Thursday to see who'll be advancing in World Cup qualifying.
We're recapping all the day's action. UEFA Path A: Italy On Cusp of World Cup Spot It's inexplicable that a country with such a rich soccer heritage and which has won four World Cup titles has not reached soccer's biggest stage since 2014. Surely Italy won't miss yet another tournament, right? Well, the Azzurri took a step in the right direction by beating Northern Ireland in Bergamo. Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half for Italy at home in Bergamo and then set up another goal for Moise Kean. They will now have to travel to Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a spot in the World Cup – where they'll join Group B . Path B: Sweden's Gyökeres Hits Hat Trick – Next Up? Poland A hat trick by Viktor Gyökeres saw Sweden handle Ukraine and take another step closer towards the World Cup. The Swedes will next face Poland, who defeated Albania. The team that wins this playoff will join the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F at the World Cup. Gyökeres took center stage as the Arsenal playmaker shined despite having not scored for his country since 2024. Ukraine, who had a consolation goal by Matviy Ponomarenko. Poland had to rally past the Albanians, who took an initial lead by Arber Hoxha in the first half. But Poland equalized after 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski scored a crucial header, followed by Piotr Zielinski’s goal that put Poland in front. The win also kept Lewandowski's hopes of playing at a third World Cup. UEFA Path C: Türkiye, Kosovo Advance; Winner Joins USA's Group We're closer to getting the full picture of who will join the USA's World Cup group. Real Madrid's Arda Güler set up Ferdi Kadioglu's goal as Türkiye took down Romania to give them another step toward advancing to the World Cup. Türkiye will next take on Kosovo, who outlasted Slovakia in a seven-goal thriller. The winner of the Türkiye-Kosovo match on Tuesday will join the USA, Paraguay and Australia in Group D. Those matches will be played in Vancouver , Santa Clara, Calif. and Los Angeles . Romania’s elimination means that 80-year-old Mircea Lucescu won’t get a chance to coach at the World Cup for the first time. Lucescu captained Romania at the 1970 World Cup. He previously coached Türkiye. Nicolae Stanciu hit the post in the second half in Istanbul, but Romania couldn't muster the equalizer. 'We knew it would be a tough match. Lucescu knows us well and prepared accordingly,' Türkiye captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu said. 'In the first half, we could have made better runs in behind. In the second half, Ferdi scored with a ball in behind and it became 1-0. From then, it was ours.' As for Kosovo, the team is one game away from its first-ever World Cup after twice recovering from a goal down to upset Slovakia 4-3. - Countdown of the Top 100 Moments in World Cup History- 2026 World Cup Groups: Full Results From Draw Path D: Denmark Throttles North Macedonia; Awaits Ireland-Czechia Winner Denmark had no trouble with North Macedonia, putting up four goals against North Macedonia. Who will they face next: will it be Czechia or Ireland? Gustav Isaksen scored twice in two minutes in Denmark’s 4-0 win. Whoever emerges from this patch will join co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A. Intercontinental Playoff Games The winner of the Congo vs. New Caledonia/Jamaica match will join Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K. Matches will be played in Houston , Guadalajara and Atlanta The winner of the Iraq vs. Bolivia/Suriname match will join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I. Those matches will be played in Foxborough, Mass. , Philadelphia and Toronto .
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.
Italy vs Northern Ireland Predictions, Picks & Odds for Thursday's World Cup Playoff MatchGet the best Italy vs. Northern Ireland predictions ahead of Thursday's World Cup playoff fixture. Free soccer picks for March 26.
Read more »
Gattuso Cuts Chiesa As Italy Faces ‘No Alibis’ World Cup PlayoffGennaro Gattuso said only 'someone without blood in their veins' wouldn’t feel nerves as Italy pushes to World Cup.
Read more »
World Cup: 16 UEFA teams to participate in play-off tournament for four World Cup spotsThe Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) will hold its second round play-off to determine the final four teams that will compete for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Read more »
World Cup 2026 International Playoff tournament: 6 nations to face off for two World Cup berthsTwo spots in the World Cup are on the line when six teams from around the world face off in the International Playoff tournament that starts Thursday.
Read more »
2026 World Cup Qualifying Brackets, Scenarios: 10 Matches Highlight Thursday SlateHere's everything you need to know about the final qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.
Read more »
World Cup Qualifying: Türkiye Takes Down Romania; Italy Looks To AdvanceWe're recapping all the day's action to see who'll be advancing in World Cup qualifying.
Read more »