Spain and Lamine Yamal, France and Kylian Mbappé plus Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo are close to confirming their places at the 2026 World Cup.

Erling Haaland’s 12 goals so far have Norway even nearer to sealing the team’s first World Cup qualification since before he was born, and edging Italy toward the playoffs where the four-time champion was shockingly eliminated in the past two editions.

Germany also risks not advancing directly as a European group winner. The Germans have a possible showdown game on Monday against Slovakia in Leipzig.

World Cup qualifying in Europe resumes on Thursday and six days later, 11 more group-winning teams will have joined England at the first 48-team finals tournament that the United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host.

Europe has 16 places at th

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