All or nothing: final World Cup qualifying scenarios | OneFootball

The final matchday of the qualification round for the 2026 World Cup is a melting pot of excitement and mathematics, with qualification in several groups across Europe and CONCACAF hanging by a thread. The complex combinations of results and goal differences promise an unforgettable conclusion to the group stage.

Europe

Although Germany secured their spot last night, not all European teams have booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup yet. In particular, Groups C and H promise plenty of excitement this evening.

With the matchups Scotland vs. Denmark and Austria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are two games where the group victory is still at stake. Scotland is under pressure to win, while a draw would be enough for the Danes. The Bosnians MUST also win to secure the group victory.

Spain (playing today against Turkey) and Switzerland (playing against Kosovo) have all but secured their tickets to next year’s World Cup. Both countries would have to lose by at least six goals to give up the group victory. Looking at their opponents, that’s a relatively unrealistic scenario.

The Belgian group is the most complicated in terms of possible scenarios: Belgium, who play against bottom-placed Liechtenstein today, will secure the group victory with a win. However, if Belgium surprisingly slips up, North Macedonia and Wales still have a mathematical chance, but both teams would need to win by a margin of 7 and 12 goals, respectively. That could be tough.

North and Central America & Caribbean

In the CONCACAF qualification, three direct spots and two playoff tickets are still up for grabs.

The most exciting battle will likely be in Group A, as Suriname and Panama are tied at the top. If both teams win, it will all come down to goal difference. Panama should therefore score as many goals as possible if they want to qualify directly.

Jamaica and Curaçao are fighting for the second direct World Cup ticket in a head-to-head duel. The calculation here is simpler: Jamaica must win to advance, while Curaçao can even afford a draw. 

Group C also promises plenty of excitement, as three out of four teams could still be crowned group winners in the final match.

Asia

Things are far from decided in the Asian qualification round as well: Iraq hosts the United Arab Emirates in Basra for the second leg of the continental playoffs. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, everything is still open. If today’s match ends in a draw, extra time and penalties will decide the winner, who will advance to the intercontinental playoff round in March 2026.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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