The final matchday is coming up in the European qualifying groups – in almost all groups the decisions are only made in the last games.
The twelve group winners will safely go to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The twelve runners-up in the group, together with four teams qualified via the Nations League, will determine the remaining four World Cup drivers from Europe in the playoff tournaments.
Group A: Showdown in Leipzig
Germany and Slovakia (both twelve points) will take first place in the direct duel in Leipzig (Monday, November 17th, 2025 at 8:45 p.m., live in the audio stream). The Slovaks have to win, a draw is enough for the DFB team to win the group or qualify directly.
The third-placed Northern Irish can still hope for the World Cup: they have secured a ticket for the playoff tournaments via the Nations League access list.
Group B: Switzerland almost through, Kosovo in playoffs
Switzerland (13 points) and Kosovo (10) occupy the first two places. In the final direct duel on Tuesday (8:45 p.m.), Switzerland can afford a defeat with a difference of up to five goals. Kosovo can no longer be pushed out of second place and is certainly in the playoffs.
Group C: Final in Glasgow
Scotland had already prepared for the playoffs after the defeat against Greece, but an unexpected slip-up by Denmark in the parallel game suddenly gave the Scots the chance of direct qualification again: On the penultimate matchday, the Danes managed a draw against Belarus, which had previously had no points. So there will be a showdown for group victory on Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) in Glasgow: Denmark (11 points) is enough to get a point, the Scots (10) need a win and are allowed to do so but also hope for the support of their passionate fans.
Group D: Ukraine or Iceland?
Vice world champions France are safely qualified with 13 points, the game in Azerbaijan is meaningless. Ukraine and Iceland are tied for second place (Sunday, 6 p.m.). While Ukraine needs a win, Iceland needs a draw due to their better goal difference.
Group E: Türkiye would have to beat Spain by seven goals
European champions Spain dominated the qualification with five wins from five games without conceding a single goal – and have all the trump cards in their hands before the final group game against Turkey. The European champions (15 points, +19 goals) can afford a defeat by up to six goals against the Turks (12, +5) for their World Cup ticket. Turkey will probably have to fight their way through the playoffs.
Group F: Portugal has detention and is worried about Ronaldo
Portugal (10 points) had it in their own hands, but are now challenged again after the defeat in Ireland. Without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, a home win against Armenia would be enough. Hungary (8) and Ireland (7) duel for second place in Budapest (Sunday, 3 p.m.).
Small side aspect: If the Portuguese manage to qualify, there will be another problem: Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off against Ireland after being violent. Typically, such attacks result in at least a three-game suspension. This would mean that the Portuguese would be banned from the first two World Cup games. In order to prevent this, Portugal’s association (FPF) wants to invoke mitigating circumstances and request a ban of just one game, according to the Portuguese newspaper “A Bola”.
On the one hand, according to the story circulating in Portugal, the atmosphere in Dublin was extremely hostile. The Irish national coach Heimir Hallgrimsson was also to blame for this with his statements critical of Ronaldo in advance. In addition, Ronaldo was held by the Irish defender before he hit Dara O’Shea, so his frustrated reaction was understandable. In addition, the fact that it was Ronaldo’s first red card in his 226th international match speaks for leniency.
Group G: Poland has to go to the playoffs
A qualification for the Netherlands (17 points, +19 goals) is just a formality before the last game against Lithuania, a draw is certainly enough, in the event of a defeat Poland would have to make up 13 goals. Trend: The playoffs probably await Poland and Robert Lewandowski (14, +6).
Group H: final in Vienna
Austria (18 points) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (16) will make up the starting spot in the direct duel in Vienna (Tuesday, 8:45 p.m.). A draw in the home game is enough for Austria, Bosnia has to win to avoid the playoffs.
Group I: Norway with impeccable qualifications
Norway (21 points, +29 goals) is virtually the group winner, Italy (18 points, +12 goals) has to go to the playoffs. In the direct duel in Milan, the four-time world champion can catch up on points with a win. In order to catch up on the goal difference, you would need a win with at least a nine-goal difference.
Group J: Wales and North Macedonia together in playoffs
Belgium’s qualification (15 points) is likely to be a formality given a home game against Liechtenstein. Behind them, Wales and North Macedonia (both 13) are in second place in a direct duel – Wales needs a win. The losing team in the duel for second place also qualifies for the playoffs – via the Nations League access list.
Group K: England go to the World Cup, Albania in the playoffs
Everything has been decided: England (21 points) are safely qualified as group winners, the playoffs await Albania (14). Serbia (10) is out.
Group L: Croatia qualified, Czech Republic in second place
Croatia (19 points) secured the direct ticket before the group final. Czech Republic (13) will compete in the playoffs.