We're recapping all the day's action to see who'll be advancing in World Cup qualifying.
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. Reald Madrid's Arda Güler set up Ferdi Kadioglu's goal as Türkiye took another step toward advancing to the World Cup. 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.' Türkiye now awaits the winner of Slovakia vs. Kosovo. That game will be played next Tuesday. The winner will join the USA, Paraguay and Australia in Group D. Those matches will be played in Vancouver , Santa Clara, Calif. and Los Angeles . Among the other games to keep tabs on Thursday will be Italy vs. Northern Ireland in Bergamo. 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? If the Azzurri are going to join the 48-team field this summer, they're going to have to win two games over the course of the week. Win that game and then Italy will face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a spot in the bracket. 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.
US soccer legend Landon Donovan talks team's World Cup chances, recalls honor of representing countryFox 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.
Read more »
Houston eyes $1.5B economic impact, world record ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026Houston is gearing up for a record-breaking FIFA World Cup activation on April 11 at Hermann Park, featuring a quarter-mile line of 1,000 soccer balls and a guest appearance by legend DeMarcus Beasley.
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 »
Türkiye Anticipates Zangezur Corridor Completion in Five Years, Strengthening Turkic World ConnectionTürkiye's Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced a memorandum on the Zangezur Corridor, anticipating its completion within four to five years. This strategic route will boost transport capacity, providing a more direct link between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and beyond to Central Asia and the Turkic world, while also potentially impacting the Middle Corridor.
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 »